FG Honours Vehicle Designer, Targets 4-year Local Auto Production

The federal government has reinforced its support for the local automotive industry by rewarding a young Nigerian vehicle designer and unveiling plans to kick-start domestic vehicle production within the next four years.

Director-general of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, announced this commitment during a ceremony yesterday, where an electric vehicle (EV) was presented to Enoch Tobiloba, the winner of a design challenge focused on a CNG-electric hybrid vehicle.

The competition, held from September 11 to 12, was organised by the NADDC in collaboration with the Office of the special assistant to the president on Youth Initiatives. The event aimed to equip young Nigerians with skills to seize opportunities within the expanding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) value chain.

During the presentation, Osanipin stressed the need for vehicles that are tailored to Nigeria’s unique topography, while underlining the government’s push to increase local content in vehicle manufacturing. “We want Nigerians to design and produce critical components like rims and shock absorbers locally, which will ensure the sustainability of the sector,” Osanipin said.

He explained that the path from design to production would be gradual, focusing first on testing and developing vehicle components domestically before scaling up to mass production. “This is a long-term project that won’t be completed in two or three years, but we are making steady progress. Let’s see how far we can get in the next four years,” he added.

Osanipin also congratulated Tobiloba, who will now serve as an EV brand ambassador, encouraging him to continue honing his skills. “Keep empowering yourself and refining your talent, as this initiative will help shape the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry,” he said.

Tobiloba, a final-year student at Yaba College of Technology, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “This award strengthens my hope for a career in automotive design and motivates me to continue pursuing my passion,” he said. “It also serves as a call for other transportation designers to stay committed and explore opportunities within Nigeria’s automotive sector.”

The event was attended by senior management staff of the Council, marking a significant step toward nurturing local talent in automotive design and development, in line with the government’s broader industrial goals.