The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) is seeking a ban on the importation of car tyres and batteries with the view of improving local manufacturing and strengthening Nigeria’s automotive value chain.
This was made known by the Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, during a workshop with the title "Revitalizing the Automotive Value Chain in Nigeria: Strategies for Growth in the Tyre and Battery Sectors," adding that Nigeria spent around N1 trillion importing only tyres in 2024.
He said, “We are committed to a future where the vehicles on our roads are not only assembled here but are also built with local components manufactured by Nigerian hands. This workshop is designed to sensitize manufacturers and investors on the vast opportunities available in the domestic production of tyres and batteries, ensuring that we reduce our over-reliance on imports and strengthen our domestic value chains.
“According to our survey, Nigeria spent more than one trillion naira importing tyres last year. This is why we are advocating an end to tyre and battery importation and encouraging local manufacturing to grow GDP and fast-track national economic development.
“We are no longer just discussing assembly; we are focusing on the core building blocks of the industry: Tyre Production: Promoting the local sourcing of rubber, synthetic rubber, and carbon black.
“Battery Manufacturing: Encouraging the production of lead-acid and lithium-ion battery plates right here in Nigeria. Quality Assurance: We are working closely with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to ensure that every ‘Made in Nigeria’ component meets stringent safety and performance protocols.
“The workshop provides a comprehensive platform to discuss backward integration strategies, quality and compliance, and to educate stakeholders on evolving standards such as tyre age limits and battery performance requirements.”