Oyebanji seeks NADDC collaboration for automotive investment in Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed the state government’s readiness to partner with the National Automotive Design and Development Council to further explore investment opportunities that will better the lives of the citizens.

Oyebanji described the automotive sector as “a critical pillar of economic growth, technological advancement and sustainable development”.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, spoke on Wednesday during the opening of the three-day 2025 Strategic Management Retreat of NADDC with the theme, “Fostering creativity and innovation for continuous performance improvement holding at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts, Ikogosi Ekiti.

He hailed NADDC for the management retreat focusing on innovation and creativity, describing it as timely and relevant, adding, “The automotive sector is a sector that demands constant innovation, strategic planning and a forward-thinking approach.

We (Ekiti) are actively fostering an environment that encourages investment in sectors like automotive technology, recognizing its potential to create jobs, boost economic activity, and enhance the overall well-being of our citizens”.

Oyebanji expressed confidence that the topics for discussions at the retreat, such as localisation, research development, skills acquisition and sustainable practices, would, “undoubtedly contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the Nigerian automotive sector on the global stage”.

He said, “In Ekiti State, we are particularly interested in exploring opportunities for collaboration in areas such as skills development, research and development and sustainable practices.

We are keen to partner with the NADDC to develop specialized training programmes that equip our youth with the skills needed to thrive in the automotive industry, particularly in emerging technologies like electric vehicles and automotive software development.

“We encourage research institutions and private sector players in Ekiti to collaborate with the NADDC on automotive-related research, with a focus on localizing production and developing innovative solutions that are tailored to our specific needs.

“We are committed to promoting environmentally-friendly practices in the automotive industry, and we look forward to learning from the experiences and best practices shared during this retreat”.

Oyebanji, who expressed hope that the retreat would yield tangible outcomes that would positively impact the automotive industry in Nigeria, urged participants “to engage actively, share your insights and forge meaningful partnerships that will drive innovation and growth.”

NADDC Director-General, Mr Joseph Osanipin, who said the management retreat was “a strategic investment in our collective ability to innovate, collaborate and drive our organization forward”, charged participants, “Let us make the most of this opportunity to learn, share, and build a stronger, more resilient future together.”

Osanipin listed the three goals he had set for the retreat to include “to explore how innovation and creativity can be deplored to enhance service delivery, to exchange views on pressing concerns affecting our work and to strengthen our collaborative relationships.”

NADDC Director, Human Resources, Mrs Ronke Amodu, said the goal of the retreat, among others, “is to explore new ideas, challenge existing norms and ultimately enhance our performances.”

Amodu said that Ekiti State was chosen to host the retreat “because of the strong commitment of the state government to nurturing creativity, entrepreneurship, youth development, creating a supportive environment for initiatives like this retreat as well as the warm hospitality of the indigenes.”