The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Dr. Oluwemino Joseph Osanipin, has reiterated the need for Nigeria’s automotive sector to embrace local content production through innovative capacity building.
Speaking via Zoom during a SolidWorks software training session, Osanipin emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to transform the industry.
“This training focuses on SolidWorks software capacity building, and we are starting from within. Previously, we organised similar trainings for external participants, but now, we are prioritising building the capacity of our staff and stakeholders, particularly vehicle and spare part manufacturers in Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed that the rapid pace of technological change requires continuous development in the automotive industry.
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“Technology is changing the way we do business, and the automotive sector is no exception. To keep up with these changes, we must develop ourselves. SolidWorks allows us to do more in less time and even engage in reverse engineering, which is essential for local production,” Osanipin explained.
He underscored the economic benefits of local component production, noting that it yields greater value than vehicle assembly.
“If we focus solely on assembling imported parts, our contribution to vehicle manufacturing remains minimal. However, reverse engineering enables us to locally produce components, which generates more jobs, boosts the economy, and has a significant multiplier effect,” he added.
Osanipin urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the training creatively and effectively to foster innovation in the sector.
Enhancing Local Content
In his opening remarks, NADDC’s Director of Research and Development, Dr. Fidelis Achiv, who represented the DG, highlighted the council’s goal to reduce reliance on imported vehicle components.
“It has always been the DG’s vision to move the industry away from dependence on imported parts and promote value addition to vehicle assemblies in Nigeria.
“By enhancing local component manufacturing, we can create jobs, save foreign exchange, and boost the automotive sector’s overall growth,” Achiv stated.
He described the SolidWorks training as a critical step towards equipping engineers with the skills to design and manufacture components locally.
SolidWorks for innovation
The Head of SolidWorks Business at COSCHARIS Technology Limited, Dr. Clement Nnedu, commended NADDC’s leadership for organising the programme and emphasised the software’s potential for reverse engineering.
“SolidWorks is an incredible tool that enables engineers to reverse-engineer components, improving efficiency and contributing significantly to local content production. This software allows us to replicate and enhance existing designs, which is essential for developing Nigeria’s automotive industry,” he said.
He encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity and thanked the DG for his commitment to advancing the sector.
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