Oyeyemi Calls for Stable Auto Policy, Increased Road Safety Funding at Motoring World Anniversary

Former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has urged the Federal Government to adopt a consistent, long-term automotive industry policy that prioritises local manufacturing and value creation over dependence on revenue from vehicle import duties.

Oyeyemi made the call on Thursday while chairing the 30th anniversary celebration of *Motoring World* magazine, themed “Celebrating Three Decades of Excellence in Automotive Journalism.”

He said Nigeria, despite possessing one of Africa’s largest automotive markets with over 240 million people, a vehicle fleet of 21 million units, and a road network exceeding 204,000 kilometres, has failed to fully exploit its potential due to policy inconsistency and inadequate support for local production.

“Investors have come and gone, assembly plants have opened and closed, and the Nigerian consumer continues to drive imported vehicles, mostly second-hand, often poorly maintained and frequently unsafe, when they should be driving vehicles assembled in Nigeria to international standards,” Oyeyemi stated.

The former FRSC boss, who also chairs the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, lamented that the National Automotive Industry Development Plan and related frameworks have been repeatedly reviewed without delivering the sustained industrial growth expected of a country with Nigeria’s market size.

On road safety, Oyeyemi described it as the most critical human dimension of the transport sector, calling for significantly increased funding for safety infrastructure and institutions. “Road safety is not an abstract concept; it is a matter of life and death. Without deliberate and adequate funding, institutions responsible for enforcement, education and emergency response cannot perform optimally,” he warned, linking rising crashes and fatalities to underinvestment in traffic management, road design, and enforcement capacity.

Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed that the Federal Government is reviewing the national automotive policy to accommodate emerging technologies and align with global trends. Represented by Samuel Adetoro, Desk Officer for the Auto Industry, Oduwole said the review seeks to position Nigeria for sustainable mobility, job creation, and reduced vehicle imports.

The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, called for stronger collaboration among government, industry stakeholders, and the media to accelerate automotive industrialisation. He highlighted council initiatives in electric vehicle development, CNG conversion, local content promotion, and skills acquisition, stressing that Nigeria must not be left behind as global mobility shifts toward smart and green technologies.

The event paid tribute to *MotoringWorld International* publisher Femi Owoeye for his pioneering role in automotive journalism since 1996. Oyeyemi described the publication as a critical repository of Nigeria’s automotive history and an institution of national importance that has championed policy advocacy and accountability for three decades.

Highlights included the presentation of awards to industry figures and organisations. Oyeyemi received the *Motoring World’s Road Safety Leadership & Legacy Award*, while CFAO Motors received the *Mobility Innovation Award* and Coscharis Group was honoured with the *Auto Business Excellence Award*.

Dignitaries present included Kunle Jaiyesimi, Deputy Managing Director of CFAO Motors Nigeria and Chairman of the LCCI Automobile and Allied Group; Abiona Babarinde, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group; Oba Dr. Olusegun Aderemi, the Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom; Felix Mahan, General Manager of Carloha Nigeria; and other automotive industry leaders.