Exploring the history and challenges faced by Nigeria's automotive industry, focusing on the emergence of InnoScent Motors as the first indigenous automobile company striving to produce locally-made vehicles. The chapter discusses the success of local manufacturers like Inoson, the preference for imported cars, and efforts towards glocalisation to tailor vehicles to Nigerian conditions, highlighting the potential for investment and export opportunities in the African market.
For decades, Nigeria has struggled to grow its domestic automotive industry while vehicles made by manufacturers from Japan, Korea, Europe and the US have dominated. But critics say many of those cars are not suitable for Nigeria’s roads.
Lately, there has been a surge of “made in Nigeria” brands, of vehicles manufactured and assembled locally, which have been designed with the country’s challenging road conditions in mind.
But as Nigerians are gearing up to the idea of replacing their trusted foreign brands with local alternatives, China has introduced a range of vehicles tailored to the Nigerian market - but cheaper.
(Image: A Nord Tank SUV. Credit: Tobi Ajayi)
Presented and produced by Peter Macjob