Cross River State has intensified its push to become one of Nigeria’s emerging automotive manufacturing hubs after securing renewed support from the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to drive vehicle assembly, electric mobility, skills development and strategic investments.
The commitment emerged during a high-level meeting at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja, where a delegation from the Cross River State Government, led by the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the State Planning Commission, Dr. Bona Duke, held talks with the Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin.
At the heart of the discussions was an ambitious roadmap aimed at accelerating automotive industrialisation in the state through stronger collaboration in technology development, workforce training, standardisation, automotive regulation and the operations of the state’s Automobile Technicians Regulatory Department (ATRD).
Dr. Duke reaffirmed the state’s determination to position Cross River as a major destination for automotive investments, saying the partnership with NADDC would unlock technical expertise, specialised training, knowledge transfer and employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
In a move that underscores the state’s clean mobility ambition, the Cross River delegation also proposed the introduction of a pilot Electric Vehicle (EV) programme built around NADDC’s existing EV development framework. The state further sought access to development funding to stimulate automotive investments and expand local industrial capacity.
Responding, NADDC Director-General, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, applauded the Cross River State Government for establishing the Automobile Technicians Regulatory Department, describing it as a bold initiative that will strengthen technical competence, professional standards and regulation within the automotive sector.
He reaffirmed the Council’s readiness to work closely with the state to attract vehicle assembly plants and other automotive investments capable of boosting local manufacturing, technology transfer and Nigeria’s transition to electric mobility.
Osanipin explained that investors consider critical factors such as industrial land availability, proximity to seaports, security and government support before committing to new automotive projects. He commended the Cross River State Government for demonstrating a strong commitment to creating an enabling environment for industrial growth and for responding promptly to the Council’s initiatives.
Both parties concluded the meeting by pledging to deepen collaboration in promoting Made-in-Nigeria vehicles, strengthening technical skills, encouraging technology transfer, creating jobs and attracting strategic investments that will accelerate Cross River’s emergence as a key player in Nigeria’s automotive industry.
The renewed alliance is another indication of NADDC’s determination to build stronger partnerships with state governments as it drives the transformation of Nigeria into a competitive automotive manufacturing and electric mobility destination.
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