A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper presents a broad analysis on why a truly made in Nigeria vehicle has not emerged on the Nigerian road and what could be done to remedy the situation. More than 60000 motor vehicles are being imported into the country annually of which more than 85% are used vehicles. Automobile plants in Nigeria are merely coupling vehicle parts produced overseas with little input to the component production of major units. These assembly plants will soon close shop due to the precarious nature of their business. This paper is of the opinion that vehicles are not being produced in Nigeria because there is no enabling environment for that to happen. The progenitors need to be mobilized properly towards the objective and the cost imperative of acquiring and sustaining the appropriate technology must be borne by the Nigerian society. The economic value need not to be evaluated without having national pride as an indispensable factor. It is evident that neither the gross domestic product per capita nor the overall literacy level alone promotes motor manufacturing, but the national technological consciousness based on policy thrust.