NADDC Endorses Made-In-Nigeria Race Cars, Hails Boost To Automotive Industry

According to industry reports, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has expressed strong support for locally manufactured motorsport cars showcased at the recently concluded Lagos AutoFest 2025. The council’s Director-General, Mr. Joseph Osanipin, described the initiative as a significant boost to Nigeria’s automotive industry and a driver of job creation.

The three race cars, named WP1, WP2, and WP3, which carried NADDC branding, thrilled spectators with their high-speed performances. Designed and assembled entirely in Nigeria, these vehicles attracted attention for their Formula One-style racing displays.

Lagos AutoFest 2025, organized by Work and Play Promotions in collaboration with the BMW Club of Nigeria, transformed the Marina waterfront on Lagos Island into a vibrant motorsport arena. The festival brought together over 100 car and bike enthusiasts and drew thousands of spectators, featuring drag races along Marina Road, Kakawa Street, Broad Street, and Apongbon before looping back to Inner Marina. This marked the seventh road edition of the annual AutoFest.

Speaking at the event, Work and Play Motorsport producer and promoter Mr. Adeoye Ojuoko emphasized that the initiative is aimed at promoting Made-in-Nigeria vehicles and cultivating a sustainable motorsport culture. “We have been producing motorsport cars since 2017. These cars are manufactured in Nigeria, with only the engines imported. Our goal is to showcase Nigerian engineering capacity, test what we build, and create employment through motorsport,” Ojuoko said.

He further highlighted that local production significantly reduces costs and retains economic value within the country. “If we import a Formula-style race car, it costs millions. Producing this locally costs about ₦20 million. That money stays in Nigeria, supports our factories, and creates jobs,” he added.

Ojuoko called on NADDC to formally certify the vehicles and support scaling production nationwide. “We need NADDC to certify and promote these cars so they can be replicated across the country. To grow the automotive industry, we must build locally, test locally, and race locally,” he said. He also proposed the creation of an automotive and motorsport hub to enable more Nigerians to design, build, and test race cars.

According to him, support from government institutions has been instrumental in the project’s growth. “The backing we’ve received from the Lagos State Government and NADDC has been a game-changer. It’s not just symbolic; it is driving real growth. Today, we are fabricating race cars locally, something that seemed impossible a few years ago,” Ojuoko noted.

AutoFest 2025 combined motorsport, culture, and entertainment, featuring Made-in-Nigeria race cars, supercar and superbike displays, cultural showcases celebrating Lagos and Nigerian heritage, and live music performances.