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FG Commissions NADDC Automotive Training Centre in Gusau, Reinforces Commitment to Industrial Growth and Youth Empowerment

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FG Commissions NADDC Automotive Training Centre in Gusau, Reinforces Commitment to Industrial Growth and Youth Empowerment

The Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial development, human capital advancement and economic transformation with the commissioning of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) Automotive Training Centre in Gusau, Zamfara State.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, 11 June 2026, Senator Enoh described the facility as more than a physical structure, stating that it represents a gateway to opportunities, innovation, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth for Zamfara State and the wider North-West region.

The Minister commended the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, the state government, traditional institutions and the people of the state for their support and commitment to development initiatives, noting that the partnership between the Federal Government and Zamfara State is critical to advancing youth empowerment and industrial development.

Highlighting Zamfara’s strategic importance, Senator Enoh observed that the state occupies a vital position within Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, with significant potential to emerge as a major hub for technical skills development and automotive services owing to its youthful population and entrepreneurial spirit.
He emphasized that the automotive industry remains one of the world’s leading drivers of industrialization, supporting growth in manufacturing, engineering, electronics, logistics, transportation, information technology and renewable energy.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment continues to place technical and vocational education at the centre of Nigeria’s industrial development agenda.

The Minister explained that through the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), the Federal Government is pursuing increased local vehicle production, deeper local content participation, technology transfer, alternative fuel technologies and sustainable job creation. He stressed that achieving these objectives depends on building a highly skilled workforce capable of adapting to modern automotive technologies, including advanced diagnostics, mechatronics, electric vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG) systems and digital mobility solutions.

Senator Enoh disclosed that the Federal Government has intensified engagements with international investors and leading automotive manufacturers to establish industrial hubs and expand local production capacity across the country. He added that efforts are also underway to revitalize automotive component industries such as tyre manufacturing, battery production, vehicle assembly and alternative energy technologies.

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He noted that the establishment of Automotive Training Centres across the country by NADDC is designed to ensure equitable access to technical education while promoting inclusive national development. These centres, he said, are intended to serve as engines of economic empowerment, social inclusion and technological advancement.

For Zamfara State, the Minister stated that the newly commissioned centre represents a strategic intervention aimed at unlocking the potential of the state’s youth by equipping them with practical, industry-relevant skills that will reduce unemployment, stimulate entrepreneurship and contribute to long-term peace and prosperity.

He added that the facility will also serve neighbouring states within the North-West region, strengthening Zamfara’s role as a centre for automotive skills development and innovation.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding automotive infrastructure and supporting local manufacturing, Senator Enoh said the administration remains focused on creating an enabling environment for private sector investment while building a globally competitive automotive industry capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and generating employment opportunities for millions of citizens.

The Minister also praised the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, for his leadership and dedication to transforming Nigeria’s automotive sector through impactful programmes and projects. He further acknowledged the contributions of development partners, technical experts, community leaders, traditional rulers, educational institutions and private sector stakeholders whose collaboration made the project possible.
Concluding his remarks, Senator Enoh reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to industrialization, youth empowerment, local content development, technology transfer and sustainable economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He expressed confidence that the Automotive Training Centre would serve as a lasting beacon of hope, innovation and opportunity for the people of Zamfara State, the North-West region and Nigeria as a whole.

 

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Women’s Month: Senator John Owan Enoh Visits GATIMO Garment Factory, Commends Nigerian Manufacturing Excellence

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As part of activities marking Women’s Month, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, paid a visit to the GATIMO garment production facility, the parent company of the renowned Nigerian children’s clothing brand Ruff ‘n’ Tumble.

The company was founded and is led by Mrs Nike Ogunlesi, whose work in building a strong local manufacturing brand has become a reference point for disciplined production and long term enterprise development in Nigeria.

During the visit, the Minister toured the production floor and interacted with staff, observing first hand the systems and processes that have sustained the brand for more than two decades. What he encountered, he noted, was far more than a successful fashion label. It was a functioning example of structured Nigerian manufacturing.

According to the Minister, GATIMO represents the core elements required for industrial growth. These include value addition within the country, workforce training, quality control systems, and the steady development of a trusted brand rooted in local production.
Reflecting on the visit, Senator Enoh noted that leadership must remain connected to the factory floor, where policies translate into real jobs, skills, and economic value.
“In what has been a personally reflective period for me, I was intentional about spending time where real production is taking place. The factory floor is where policy meets people. It is where the true impact of industrial policy can be measured,” he stated.
He also commended Mrs. Ogunlesi for her role in building an enterprise that has created employment, transferred technical skills, and maintained high production standards within Nigeria’s manufacturing space.

The Minister emphasized that women entrepreneurs like Mrs. Ogunlesi are already making significant contributions to the industrial economy.
“Women like Mrs. Ogunlesi are not waiting for empowerment. They are already building businesses, employing Nigerians, and demonstrating that local manufacturing can compete on quality, branding, and sustainability,” he said.
Senator Enoh further explained that enterprises such as GATIMO and Ruff ‘n’ Tumble represent the type of industrial model Nigeria must scale as the country deepens its manufacturing capacity and strengthens its competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He added that the Federal Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment through clear policy direction, access to financing, and institutional coordination that supports the growth of local industries.

The visit also reinforced the Minister’s guiding principle of “Give to Gain,” which he described as an economic approach that encourages deliberate government support for productive enterprises.
“When government provides policy clarity, structured financing pathways, and institutional alignment, the country gains stronger factories, better jobs, deeper value chains, and greater export readiness,” he noted.

The Minister concluded that Nigeria’s industrial future is already taking shape through enterprises that remain committed to local production and quality standards.

His visit to GATIMO, he said, serves as a reminder that Nigerian industry is capable of building premium, competitive, and enduring brands, with women playing a central role in that transformation.

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The Minister of State for Industry Sen. John Owan Enoh Has Undertaken a Strategic Tour of Key Industrial Sites in Kaduna State

The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, has undertaken a strategic tour of key industrial sites in Kaduna state to speed up the revival efforts of the comatose tex-tile, cotton and garment (CTG) sector.

The minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Rimi Abba, and the Director-General of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi. The minister, during the tour yesterday, said the tour was part of the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to industrial revital isation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight-point agenda. The Agenda Seven prioritises job creation, inclu-sive economic growth, and industrial development.

During a visit to United Nigerian Textiles Limited (UNIL), the minister, who was received by the Emir of Kano and Chairman of UNTL, His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido, described UNTL as a historic textile mill that once served as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s manufacturing sec-tor.

Enoh acknowledged the concerns over the near collapse of the sector while assuring that under President Tinubu’s leadership, several developmental strides have been made to reposition the CTG sector.

The steps taken so far include convening sub-sector stakeholder engagements to identify and resolve bottlenecks, promoting public-private partnerships and collaborating with development partners while strengthening policy frameworks to support local manufacturing and boost export competitive-ness.

He underscored the symbolic and economic importance of UNIL’s revival, stating that its return to full operation would restore confidence in Nigeria’s textile heritage and catalyse broader industrial growth.

At Chellco Industries, the minister noted that the firm represents a resilient textile firm that has remained operational since 1980, despite decades of economic turbulence.

Enoh commended the management for their unwavering commitment and noted that Chellco currently provides direct employment to over 290 workers, contributing significantly to the local economy.

He pledged continued government support and conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill, assuring stakeholders that the administration remains steadfast in its mission to restore Nigeria’s industrial pride and reposition the CTG sector as a driver for inclusive growth.

In his opening remark, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Rimi Abba, represented by Bala Mohammed, Director of the Industrial Development Department, stressed the urgent need for results-driven execution, highlighting the direct impact of industrial growth on employment, economic resilience, local production capacity, and export expansion.

The Director General of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) shared critical insights into the session’s thematic focus, emphasising the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors. Representing GIZ, Dr. Dada Olusegun reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustainable development and its ongoing partnership with the ministry to drive skills development and sustainability.

The President of MAN and Co-Chair of IRWG, Otumba Francis Ivieshioye OFR, encouraged participants to actively contribute by leveraging their expertise to shape the future of Nigeria’s industrial sector.

Setting the tone for the discussions, Senator John Owan Enoh, Honourable Minister of State for Industry and Chairperson of IRWG, delivered a powerful address.

“We gather here today under no illusion. We are not here for symbolism or to add another page to government archives. We are here because something must change—permanently and decisively, in how we execute Nigeria’s industrial ambition.” Enoh stated.

He further noted that, for too long, industrial policy discussions lacked speed and consistency, resulting in slow and inconsistent progress. He emphasised that IRWG was established not as an advisory body but as an operational force focused on tangible results.

The Minister stated that the success of IRWG’s work must be measured by the momentum created, the systems improved, the industries revived, and the jobs enabled. To ensure accountability, he urged participants to focus discussions on execution, setting measurable targets for 90 days, six months, and one year while establishing a framework for continuous evaluation.

He also announced that the Draft National Industrial Policy was ready for revalidation and assured participants that it would serve as a dynamic framework tackling Nigeria’s most pressing industrial challenges, including energy insecurity, logistics issues, talent gaps, workforce development, and shifts in global supply chains.

Participants engaged in structured discussions centered on key industrial priorities such as unlocking long-term financing and incentives for SMEs and major industries, strengthening energy security and infrastructure to support manufacturing, simplifying bureaucratic processes to eliminate regulatory bottlenecks, promoting Made-in-Nigeria initiatives and enforcing anti-contraband measures, and addressing the skills gap while embracing technological innovation.

The session ended satisfactorily, reinforcing the need for execution-driven thinking while ensuring that every proposal translates into real industrial impact.