Automotive Sector: Prioritise Indigenous Innovation Over Foreign, Engineers Task FG

By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna

The Automotive and Locomotive Engineers’ Institute (AutoEI), a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has called on the Federal Government to urgently reposition the nation’s automotive and locomotive sectors by enacting stronger policies that prioritize indigenous innovation over dependence on foreign imports.

The call was made in a communiqué issued at the end of its 15th National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with the theme: “Automotive and Locomotive Engineering Innovations for Sustainable Blue Economy,” the conference brought together experts, policymakers, academia, and industry leaders.

The opening session was chaired by the President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala FNSE, represented by NSE Kaduna Branch Chairman, Engr. Samson Arege Bawa MNSE.

The keynote was delivered by the Director of Industrial Infrastructure Development at the National Automotive Design and Development Centre (NADDC), Dr. Nua Omisanya, while the Registrar/CEO of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, graced the event as Special Guest of Honour.

One of the highlights was the conferment of Fellowship of the Institute on distinguished members for their contributions to the profession.

After days of technical sessions and deliberations, AutoEI issued strong recommendations, where it urged the Presidency, the National Assembly, and the Federal Government to embrace the vast opportunities in the automotive value chain by reforming policies and incentives.

The Institute decried the overdependence on “dollarization” of the sector and called for homegrown strategies that optimize Nigeria’s human, natural, and mineral resources while reducing capital flight.

The communiqué also stressed the need for a steady pipeline of highly skilled technicians, craftsmen, and engineering personnel.

It recommended partnerships between NABTEB, NADDC, NRC, NBTE, and relevant agencies to train, secure, and structure skilled manpower under quality supervisory frameworks that will drive indigenous creativity and lead to the production of top-notch products while opening doors for personnel exports.

Furthermore, the National Assembly was urged to expedite laws that will shield the industry from capital flight and technology gaps.

Specifically, the communiqué called for the revival of the Patronage Act and the transformation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) into law, with emphasis on supporting indigenous Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) rather than limiting Nigeria to a peripheral role in foreign-led OEM structures.

The conference also featured technical visits to innovation hubs and industry partners within Zaria to deepen participants’ exposure to emerging opportunities in the automotive and locomotive engineering fields.

The communiqué was signed by Engr. Sylvester A. Aye, PhD., FNSE, FAutoEI, National Chairman, and Engr. Mobolaji O. Olajide, MNSE, MAutoEI, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee.