By Admin 
DELTA: The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Dr. Oluwemino Joseph Osanipin, has called for a renewed focus on local content production in Nigeria’s automotive sector. He made this appeal during a virtual training session on SolidWorks software, organized to enhance capacity building within the industry.
“This training is centered on SolidWorks software capacity building, and we are starting from within,” Dr. Osanipin said. “In the past, we organized similar training for external participants, but now, we are focusing on empowering our staff and stakeholders, particularly vehicle and spare part manufacturers in Nigeria.”
He noted that the rapid evolution of technology has made continuous development essential for competitiveness in the automotive industry.
“Technology is reshaping how businesses operate, and the automotive sector must adapt. SolidWorks enables us to achieve more in less time, including reverse engineering, which is crucial for local production,” he explained.
Dr. Osanipin highlighted the economic benefits of producing vehicle components locally, emphasizing that it provides more value than merely assembling imported parts.
“If we rely solely on assembling imported parts, our impact on vehicle manufacturing will remain minimal. However, mastering reverse engineering allows us to produce components locally, generating jobs, boosting the economy, and creating significant multiplier effects,” he stated.
The DG encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained creatively to foster innovation in Nigeria’s automotive industry.
Boosting Local Content
Representing the DG, NADDC’s Director of Research and Development, Dr. Fidelis Achiv, reiterated the council’s commitment to reducing reliance on imported vehicle parts and enhancing local manufacturing.
“The DG has always envisioned moving the industry away from dependence on imported components. Promoting local manufacturing adds value to vehicle assemblies, creates employment, saves foreign exchange, and drives growth in the sector,” Dr. Achiv said.
He described the SolidWorks training as a pivotal step in equipping engineers with the skills needed for component design and production in Nigeria.
Driving Innovation with SolidWorks
Dr. Clement Nnedu, Head of SolidWorks Business at COSCHARIS Technology Limited, commended the initiative, highlighting the software’s capability to facilitate reverse engineering and local production.
“SolidWorks is a powerful tool that allows engineers to reverse-engineer components, improving efficiency and advancing local content production. It enables us to replicate and enhance existing designs, which is crucial for the growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry,” Dr. Nnedu said.
He urged participants to make the most of the training and lauded the DG for his vision and dedication to developing the sector.