The push to empower young Nigerians through automotive innovation took center stage on 26th November 2025 at the Ibadan Civic Centre, where the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring and Delivery) held a Youth Conference themed Driving the Future: Empowering Nigerian Youth Through Automotive Innovation. The event marked a significant moment in Nigeria’s plan to prepare its youth for new opportunities in mobility technology and the wider automotive value chain.
Speaking at the conference, the NADDC Director General, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, said he was pleased to celebrate and empower young Nigerians who continue to shape the direction of technology and industry. He explained that youth are increasingly becoming the drivers of transformation in automotive engineering, ICT, and advanced mobility systems. Osanipin noted that modern vehicles now integrate engineering with ICT, and that Electric Vehicles (EVs) are more technology-driven than the traditional automobiles many people are used to.
He stated that across Nigeria and Africa, young innovators are already redefining mobility, supporting industrial development, and helping the shift toward electrification, digitalization, and sustainability. Osanipin stressed that the automotive value chain is large enough to accommodate various professions, especially with the rise of new energy vehicles powered by ICT and artificial intelligence. He added that Nigerian youth, known for their creativity and strong tech skills, must be strategically supported to channel their abilities into national mobility innovations.
The Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring and Delivery), Hon. Dr. Titilope Gbadamosi, described the program as part of a national mission aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to unlock youth potential and speed up development in Nigeria’s automotive industry. She highlighted ongoing Federal Government investments in mobility technology, clean energy transition, digital innovation, and advanced manufacturing.
Gbadamosi said the conference was designed to open opportunities for young Nigerians interested in CNG adoption, electric mobility, automotive mechatronics, vehicle design, and new global transportation systems. She encouraged participants by saying, “Let us seize the opportunities that this conference offers, together, we have begun driving the future of Nigeria and the future of Africa. We are confidently shaping the future as creators, innovators, and global competitors in the automotive industry.”
The event received strong private sector support, showing the industry’s confidence in youth-led automotive innovation. The Chief Executive Officer of Weeldrop Logistics Limited, Wale Oladiti, offered automatic employment to six outstanding trainees. The MD of Lanre Shittu Motors, Mr. Taiwo Shittu, awarded ₦1 million each to six top performers. The Chairman of Nord Motors, Mr. Tobi Ajayi, also gifted ₦1 million each to five exceptional participants.
The NADDC and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives reaffirmed their dedication to empowering young Nigerians as central players in building a modern automotive industry. They stated that through collaboration, innovation, and skill development, Nigeria is preparing a workforce capable of creating jobs, boosting the economy, and shaping the future of mobility across the continent.
