Nigeria can be global automotive hub – LSM

Nigeria has what it takes to be the global automotive hub, Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) Managing Director, Mr. Taiwo Shittu, has declared. He spoke when he received Mr. Oscar Yu, General Manager of Chinese automotive giant JAC Motors, to LSM’s flagship assembly plant in Lagos. He said, “With Nigeria’s vast population of over 200 million, […]

Nigeria has what it takes to be the global automotive hub, Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) Managing Director, Mr. Taiwo Shittu, has declared.

He spoke when he received Mr. Oscar Yu, General Manager of Chinese automotive giant JAC Motors, to LSM’s flagship assembly plant in Lagos.

He said, “With Nigeria’s vast population of over 200 million, a youthful workforce, and strategic geographic location, we have all the ingredients to become a global automotive hub.

“Couple that with the unwavering commitment from our partners at JAC and the right government policies, we can transform Lagos into a world-class manufacturing ecosystem.

”The visit marked a reinvigoration of a decade-long partnership between LSM and JAC, signaling a decisive shift towards deeper industrial integration, increased local value addition, and regional expansion ambitions.”

 

Mr. Yu, impressed by LSM’s assembly capabilities, highlighted how Nigeria’s demographic and economic potential mirrors China’s earlier industrialization challenges—and opportunities.

“China’s journey was not unlike Nigeria’s: initially reliant on used imports, we invested in local production and banned second-hand imports to build capacity. Today, China is a global leader in automotive manufacturing. Nigeria can follow this path with a unified strategy,” Yu said.