Nigeria Goes All-In on Homegrown Wheels: Minister Endorses Nord Motors in Push for Local Auto Boom

Nigeria's push for self-reliance in the auto world took a flashy turn as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, threw her full weight behind local manufacturers. In a move that's got the sector buzzing, she rolled away in a sleek Nord Demir SUV fresh off the assembly line, calling on everyone from government offices to big businesses to back Made in Nigeria rides like never before.

The endorsement landed during a visit to the Nord Automobiles plant tucked inside the University of Lagos campus, where Oduwole scooped up her new wheels as part of the nation's 65th independence celebrations. It's more than just a photo op; it's a clear signal from the top that the country's betting big on outfits like Nord to rev up the economy and cut down on imported gas-guzzlers.

Oduwole didn't mince words, praising Nord's setup and urging a nationwide shift in shopping habits. "With the Africa Continental Free Trade Zone agreement, you should be able to scale your industrialization and your production," she told the team, nodding to the company's two plants—one right there on campus and another in Epe—that pack enough punch to handle surging demand. She spotlighted Nord's lineup of sedans, pickups, SUVs, buses, electric vehicles, and even tricycles, plus their client list boasting four of Nigeria's top ten stock exchange heavyweights. "We are going to be encouraging the private sector and all Nigerians to patronize Made in Nigeria products," she added. "This is a proudly Made in Nigeria product, right here at the University of Lagos where I am a product of. As a ministry, we are committed to supporting your sector, and Mr. President has prioritised Nigeria First."

The university brass echoed the excitement, with Prof. Bola Oboh, deputy vice chancellor for academics and research, beaming about the tie-up. "Unilag is very proud to welcome the Minister... as she picks up her official car, the Nord Demir, assembled at the University of Lagos," he said, tying it to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's drive for local goods. He highlighted the campus's green credentials, from eco-friendly buses to the plant's electric vehicle output, and noted Nord's upcoming launch of sustainable models. On top of that, UNILAG students snag regular internships at the facility, blending book smarts with hands-on hustle.

Nord's chairman, Mr. Oluwatobi Ajayi, soaked up the spotlight, calling Oduwole's choice a badge of honor. "It is a privilege to have you as one of the owners of the elegant Nord vehicles," he replied. "I am happy to say that you are a customer... that I will always tell people about, our own Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, of my own country, drives a Nord vehicle." He gave a shoutout to the UNILAG partnership too, dubbing it a game-changer that's fueled the company's rise.

This isn't happening in a vacuum. The government's leaning hard into the Africa Continental Free Trade Area to supercharge local production, aiming to flood regional markets with Nigerian-made autos and create jobs along the way. By getting agencies and corporations to swap foreign imports for homegrown options, they're eyeing everything from beefed-up manufacturing to greener transport that fits Africa's vibe.

For an industry long starved of big breaks, Oduwole's stamp of approval feels like rocket fuel. Nord's already proving the doubters wrong with its diverse fleet and solid clients, and if the patronage call catches fire, it could spark a full-throttle revival. Picture fewer clunkers clogging ports, more skilled workers in factories, and a ride that screams national pride every time you hit the road. The message is loud: Nigeria's ready to steer its own destiny, one local engine at a time.