Why FG Can't Patronize Made-in-Nigeria Vehicles

Lack of robust after-sale services has been identified as the primary reason many government agencies have failed to buy Nigeria-assembled vehicles despite the Executive Order 5 mandating them to give preference to automobiles produced in the country.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, disclosed this during a meeting with the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) in Abuja.

The meeting which had representatives from various stakeholders in the automotive industry including NAMA, MOMAN, G.M Motors, Anammco, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Ltd, and other key players in the country’s automotive sector in attendance focused on discussions on the future of Nigeria’s automotive sector with AAAM.

Dr. Uzoka-Anite praised indigenous automobile assemblers for their contributions to the economy but urged them to prioritise after-sales support to remain competitive.

According to her, government would patronise only auto assemblers with robust after-sales service, stressing the importance in increasing the preference for locally- assembled vehicles by government agencies.

In his welcome address, the Director- general of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) emphasised that NAIDP 2024 aims to align local policies with AfCTA to enable the industry to compete favourably on a continental and global level, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility through incentives for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric-Powered vehicles.