technology, vehicle conversion and alternative fuel systems for both regulators and industry players.
“Capacity building is one of the major pillars of the NAIDP. “We have carried out training on vehicle conversion from PMS and diesel to CNG, as well as on electric vehicles,” he said.
He disclosed that the council had developed National Occupational Standards for EV maintenance and CNG retrofitting, with structured certification programmes expected to begin by 2026.
Osanipin said Nigerian engineers and students were making notable progress in local vehicle design, citing projects involving tricycles, buses and electric campus shuttle buses developed in collaboration with 12 universities and private sector partners.
“We want what is taught in our institutions to reflect industry realities. Producing even a few world-class auto engineers locally will have a significant impact on the economy,” he said.
He stressed that component manufacturing remains the real value driver in the automotive sector, noting that Nigeria spends more annually on tyres, brake pads, filters and batteries than on importing complete vehicles.
The council, he said, was engaging stakeholders to address infrastructure, financing and policy bottlenecks facing component manufacturers, especially as Nigeria positions itself to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Osanipin also revealed plans to transform the NAIDP from a policy document into an Act of Parliament, announcing that a draft Auto Industry Bill would soon be presented to the National Assembly.
“Investment in the auto sector is huge. They will need an Act,” he said.
Acknowledging that some of the reforms would face resistance, Osanipin appealed to the media for support in explaining the policies to the public.
“When the pushback comes, we need you to explain to Nigerians what we are trying to do and why,” he said, describing 2026 as a pivotal year for Nigeria’s automotive industry transformation.
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