Magazine anniversary to spotlight auto industry solutions

Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive sector will converge in Lagos on Thursday to chart a path for the growth of the industry as Motoring World Magazine marks its 30th anniversary with a forum focused on addressing persistent challenges confronting the sector.

The anniversary celebration is expected to attract government officials, policymakers, automobile manufacturers, transport operators, investors and mobility experts, with discussions centred on strengthening local vehicle production, policy implementation and sustainable industry development.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Motoring World Magazine, Femi Owoeye, and made available to The PidomNigeria on Tuesday.

According to the statement, former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps and President/Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Nigeria, Boboye Oyeyemi, will chair the event, while the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, will deliver the keynote address titled “Motoring Media as a Catalyst for Automotive Industry Growth in Nigeria”.

Owoeye said the anniversary would go beyond celebration and serve as a platform for practical conversations on the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

According to him, the choice of Oyeyemi as chairman reflects his enduring contributions to road safety administration, transport reforms and mobility development in Nigeria and across West Africa.

Owoeye said, “Dr Boboye Oyeyemi represents excellence, discipline and transformational leadership within Nigeria’s transport and mobility sector. His immense contributions to road safety administration and institutional reforms make him eminently qualified to chair this historic celebration.”

He added that the gathering would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to review the industry’s progress, identify existing bottlenecks and collectively develop solutions capable of driving sustainable growth.

On the selection of Osanipin as keynote speaker, Owoeye praised the NADDC boss for what he described as a renewed push towards automotive industrialisation and local content development.

“Since assuming office, Mr Osanipin has continued to champion local vehicle manufacturing, automotive component development, CNG mobility initiatives, technical capacity building and strategic industry collaborations aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s automotive sector for sustainable growth,” he said.

The publisher said the keynote presentation is expected to explore how specialised motoring journalism shapes public policy, boosts local manufacturing, improves consumer awareness, and encourages investment in the automotive ecosystem.

Beyond policy discussions, the event will honour individuals, government institutions and corporate organisations that have played significant roles in shaping Nigeria’s automotive landscape over the past three decades. The organisers added that the recognition is intended to celebrate innovation, resilience and commitment to industry development.

Founded on 12 June 1996, as a syndicated radio motoring programme aired on OGBC 2-FM Abeokuta and Radio Rivers Port Harcourt before evolving into a print and multi-platform publication, Motoring World has established itself as one of Nigeria’s leading automotive media brands. The anniversary, the organisers added, will also feature networking sessions, strategic industry dialogues and the unveiling of a special commemorative edition documenting the history, milestones and future prospects of Nigeria’s automotive industry.