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Jelani Aliyu Meets Auto Companies In Japan, Urges Them To Set Up Assembly Plants In Nigeria
NADDC Boss Jelani Aliyu meets Auto Companies in Japan to discuss ways of achieving bigger investments in Nigeria.
He met with officials of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mistsubushi, Isuzu, Suzuki and Yamaha during his trip to 4 Japanese cities.
While urging them to set up productions and assembly plants in Nigeria, he noted that some are already building vehicles in Nigeria.
He listed Honda West Africa, Nissan/Stallion, Toyota/Elizade, Mitsubishi/CFAO, Isuzu/Kewalrams and Yamaha/CFAO as an example.
The Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Jelani Aliyu, has called on key Japanese Automotive manufacturers to set up mega production and assembly plants in Nigeria.
Aliyu made the call during his visit to Tokyo, Yokohama, Hamamatsu and Iwata in Japan (from August 1st to 4th), where he met with officials of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mistsubushi, Isuzu, Suzuki and Yamaha to discuss ways of achieving bigger investments in Nigeria.
The NADDC Boss notes that some of the companies, as a result of the implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) by the NADDC, are already building vehicles in Nigeria. He listed Honda West Africa, Nissan/Stallion, Toyota/Elizade, Mitsubishi/CFAO, Suzuki/Boulos, Isuzu/Kewalrams and Yamaha/CFAO as an example.
The call by Mr Aliyu for larger investments to produce even more vehicles comes at a time when the need for diversification in Nigeria is paramount to the country’s economy as the population continues to grow, and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is also opening up Africa wide opportunities for Nigerian Automotive manufacturers.
Aliyu explained that the discussions with the companies were very fruitful, with strong potential for the various manufacturers to significantly increase their operations and market footprint in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency, Honourable Husaini Moriki, urged the Japanese companies to identify areas of focus that the companies would like the Nigerian government to interven in for an even bettter business environment.
The Ambassador further commended the Director General on reviving the Nigerian Automotive industry and urged the Japanese companies to collaborte with the NADDC in training and upskilling of Nigerian youth at the 18 Automotive Training Centers built by the agency across the country.
Aliyu mentioned that the NADDC has engaged international firm, KPMG, to support it in the review process of the Auto Policy so as to develop it with more efficacy in regards to the current pattern of global and regional automotive production and distribution.
KPMG is getting good support from the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM).
“As soon as the draft policy is done by KPMG, it shall go as an executive bill to the National Assembly. The Senate and House Committees on Industry are giving their full support towards having this reviewed policy be backed by a legal framework.”, added Jelani Aliyu.
The Chairman, House committee on Industry, Honourable Dr. Enitan Badru, discussed the importance of legislative support to the new Auto Policy, so that it gives the investors the confidence and stability to invest in Nigeria. He also stressed on the importance of the vehicle finance scheme towards the purchase of those locally produced vehicles.
