The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite has hinted that plans are underway to position Nigeria as a major player in the vehicle manufacturing industry. 

The minister stated this while launching the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan at a gathering that was attended by stakeholders drawn from the private and public sectors.

According to Uzoka-Anite, the automotive industry development plan was drawn to position Nigeria as a fully-fledged vehicle manufacturer within the next 10 years.

She said Nigeria has the capacity to produce its own vehicles with her raw materials; skills; and a ready market. 

These vehicles include motorcycles, tricycles, sedans, and heavy-duty trucks.

On his part, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Joseph Osanipin stated that the policy proposed to help actualise the plan was a five-year tax holiday for assemblers of vehicles in Nigeria.

Members of the Automotive Industry Development Plan implementation committee are drawn from the Ministries of Finance, Transport, and Environment as well as Industry, Trade and Investment.

It also comprises the Nigeria Customs Service, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, and the Standards Organization of Nigeria.