OJO OLOTU
In a decisive move set to reshape Nigeria’s automotive workforce, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has ignited a bold push to establish a dedicated awarding body for skills certification in the sector.
At a high-level strategy session held on April 13, 2026, at its Abuja headquarters, NADDC convened key stakeholders, including the Sector Skills Council (SSC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to fast-track a new era of competency-based training and globally aligned qualifications.
The mission is clear: build a specialised certification powerhouse tailored to the fast-evolving demands of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
During the meeting, Engr. Best Nnodim, President of the Auto SSC, alongside Engr. S.M. Yusuf, Director of Vocational Training and Skills Development at NBTE, formally presented a policy blueprint for the proposed awarding body to NADDC’s Director-General/CEO, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin.
The proposal signals a major shift. According to Engr. Best, Nigeria can no longer rely on generic certification systems as the industry accelerates into the era of green mobility and electric vehicles. What is needed, he stressed, is a robust, industry-specific structure that mirrors global best practices.
Under the plan, the new body will serve as the nerve centre for automotive skills certification, accrediting training providers, approving centres, enforcing standards, and overseeing the entire certification process.
A clear three-tier execution model has also been mapped out: the SSC will define occupational standards; the awarding body will develop qualifications and curricula; while accredited training centres will handle delivery and internal assessments.
Responding, Otunba Osanipin threw his weight firmly behind the initiative, reaffirming NADDC’s commitment to building a highly skilled automotive workforce. He expressed strong optimism that the framework could be fully operational within six months.
If delivered on schedule, the initiative could mark a turning point, boosting technical manpower, standardising training nationwide, and positioning Nigeria’s automotive sector for greater competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
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