Nigeria’s Auto Future Is Local – ALCMAN Boss Tells Govt to Stop Importing Parts
By Tunde Okoro | August 4, 2026
Nigeria’s automotive industry can only go far if we stop relying on imported parts and start building our own. That’s the straight talk from Chief Anselm Ilekuba, Chairman of the Automotive Local Components Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (ALCMAN). Speaking at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU 2026) in Lagos, Ilekuba made it clear: the future is local, not foreign.
“There can be no truly sustainable automotive industry without a strong local component manufacturing base,” he said. The summit, themed “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the President Bola Tinubu Administration,” was organized by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
Why Local Content Is the Only Way Forward
Ilekuba, represented by Mr. Eze Igwe of Cedric Autos, stressed that Nigeria faces a critical choice: build a self-sustaining auto sector or keep importing and losing out. He argued that local content isn’t just a policy buzzword — it’s the bedrock of a resilient, globally competitive automotive ecosystem.
“Every vehicle assembled in Nigeria should reflect Nigerian engineering expertise, innovation, and enterprise,” he said. That means more locally made components, fewer imported parts, and a value chain that keeps wealth and jobs at home.
What Local Manufacturers Need to Thrive
Indigenous component makers are ready to step up, Ilekuba said. They have the capacity and commitment. But they need the government to create an enabling environment. His wish list includes:
- Consistent government policies
- Affordable financing
- Improved infrastructure
- Technical skills development
- Quality standards and R&D support
- Expanded market opportunities
He also urged policymakers to measure success not just by how many vehicles are assembled, but by how many components are produced locally, how many Nigerians are trained and employed, and how much foreign exchange is saved.
Full Implementation of the Nigerian First Policy
Ilekuba called for the full rollout of the Nigerian First policy, giving indigenous manufacturers fair opportunities to supply components wherever local capacity exists. He said stronger partnerships between local producers, vehicle assemblers, OEMs, fleet operators, and other players are essential.
“Nigeria’s automotive industry has enormous potential to drive economic diversification through job creation, technological innovation, and foreign exchange conservation,” he said. But that potential won’t unlock itself. It requires coordinated action from government, manufacturers, dealers, financiers, academic institutions, and the media.
Made-in-Nigeria Components Can Go Global
ALCMAN is committed to working with the Federal Government, NAJA, and all stakeholders to build a globally competitive industry anchored on local content. Ilekuba is optimistic: with sustained collaboration, Made-in-Nigeria automotive components will become the preferred choice both at home and across Africa.
“Nigeria can become a major automotive manufacturing destination on the continent,” he said. But only if we stop importing our future and start manufacturing it.
“There can be no truly sustainable automotive industry without a strong local component manufacturing base.” — Chief Anselm Ilekuba, ALCMAN Chairman