The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Oluwemimo Osanipin, has disclosed that Nigeria expended a staggering N6.54 trillion on the importation of vehicles and auto parts between 2023 and 2025, heightening concerns over the country’s growing dependence on foreign automotive products.
Osanipin made the revelation on Tuesday at the West African Automotive Summit held in Lagos, warning that the surging import bill poses a significant threat to the survival and growth of the nation’s local automotive industry.
According to him, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that over N4.3 trillion was spent on vehicle imports alone within the two-year period, while total imports of transport equipment and spare parts rose sharply from N3.15 trillion in 2023 to N6.54 trillion in 2025—representing a 107 per cent increase.
He stressed that the trend underscores the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s local production capacity and build consumer confidence in domestically assembled vehicles.
Speaking on the theme of the summit, “After-Sales as a Growth Engine,” Osanipin noted that the future of the country’s automotive sector would depend not only on vehicle sales but also on the strength of after-sales services, including maintenance, availability of spare parts, technical support, warranties, and customer engagement.
He explained that countries with thriving automotive industries have developed robust after-sales ecosystems that support local manufacturing, generate employment, and boost investor confidence.
The NADDC boss warned that weak after-sales services continue to discourage patronage of locally assembled vehicles and deter investment in the sector.
“Efficient customer support drives repeat purchases and expands market opportunities, while poor after-sales services erode trust and weaken the industry,” he said.
Osanipin further emphasised the need for sustained training and capacity building for technicians and service personnel, particularly as Nigeria begins to embrace electric and hybrid vehicle technologies.
He added that the council is collaborating with stakeholders to implement skills acquisition programmes, technical training, and policy reforms aimed at raising industry standards.
The DG also urged automobile dealers and service providers to invest in customer support infrastructure and establish reliable distribution networks for genuine spare parts across the country.
He described the summit as a strategic platform for stakeholders to forge partnerships, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for advancing the automotive sector in Nigeria and across West Africa.
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