The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, on 26th August 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Business Officer of Simba Group, Mr. Lavender Gupta.
During the visit, Mr. Osanipin commended Simba Group for its continuous support to NADDC and the Nigerian automotive sector. He acknowledged the company’s sponsorship and delivery of three successful training programs in Ekiti, Kano, and Lagos, which he said have significantly contributed to capacity development in the industry.
He stressed that Simba’s strong brand presence in Nigeria has created avenues for customer engagement, while the training sessions have provided valuable feedback channels between the company and its end users. According to him, such initiatives are vital for strengthening local automotive growth and sustaining the industry’s long-term competitiveness.
In his remarks, Mr. Gupta reiterated Simba Group’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with NADDC and the wider automotive ecosystem.
He expressed satisfaction with the training outcomes but recommended that future programs should be structured into three categories: basic, advanced, and superior training to meet the diverse needs of participants.
He explained that entrepreneurs and shop owners should receive specialized training tailored to their business needs instead of being grouped with mechanics and employees.
He added that partners and aspiring business owners must be equipped with both technical knowledge and business development skills to enable them to sell vehicles, grow enterprises, and achieve greater independence.
Mr. Gupta further emphasized that skilled technicians and mechanics should continue to receive advanced hands-on technical training to enhance expertise and service delivery across the sector.
Highlighting the importance of attaching value to training, he suggested that a token fee be introduced for participants. “When people pay, they tend to value the experience more, which would further elevate the professionalism and impact of the sessions,” he said.
The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Simba Group facility. Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to skill development, local capacity building, and sustainable growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
They also agreed to explore further innovations in training models aimed at empowering Nigerians, supporting entrepreneurship, and contributing to the Federal Government’s industrial development agenda.