In a landmark step towards boosting Nigeria’s Automotive Industry and empowering its youth, the Federal Government, through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has commissioned a state-of-the-art Automotive Training Centre at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu.

The Ceremony, held on August 25, 2025, brought together key stakeholders from Government, academia and industry.

Representing Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mrs. Morenikeji Azeez underscored the importance of the project, noting that the centre could not have come at a better time.“Lagos State has laid great importance on training Lagosians in modern automotive technology. This facility will not only enhance the skills of youths and technicians but also strengthen the automotive industry in Lagos and Nigeria at large.

With world-class equipment, our students will now train with the same diagnostic tools and safety systems used globally,” she said.Senator John Owan Enoh, Honourable Minister of State for Industry under FMITI, explained that the centre aligns with the Federal Government’s Automotive Policy, which prioritises job creation, skills acquisition, technology transfer and GDP growth. He added that the policy is designed to boost local vehicle production, achieve 40% local content and ensure that 30% of vehicles produced are electric with a target of creating one million jobs.

Highlighting the wider scope, Senator Enoh revealed that the Lagos centre is one of 23 facilities strategically located across Nigeria to ensure equitable distribution of national assets.

Also speaking, the NADDC Board Chairman, His Eminence, Chief Emma Eneukwu, OFR, described the facility as “a beacon of opportunity,” emphasizing its role in training, research, and vehicle maintenance, while preparing students for emerging technologies such as Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversions.NADDC Director-General, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, reaffirmed the Council’s mandate of driving sustainable growth in the sector through skills development and infrastructure.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the Automotive Policy, which, he noted, has made the initiative possible under the Renewed Hope Agenda.Mr. Osanipin also revealed that the Council is constructing 23 training centres across the six geopolitical zones to provide opportunities for young Nigerians, boost innovation, and support local automotive value chains.As Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos was described as a strategic choice for the facility, given its role as a centre of innovation, trade, and entrepreneurship. Ikorodu’s strong industrial clusters and vibrant MSMEs were also cited as critical enablers of the project.

The commissioning of the NADDC Automotive Training Centre is more than just an infrastructure project, it represents a collaborative effort between government, industry and academia to prepare Nigeria for the future of mobility while addressing unemployment and strengthening national development.