The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigerians spent about N6.54 trillion on vehicle spare parts and another N2.7 trillion on imported vehicles in 2025, emphasising the huge economic potential in the country’s automotive aftersales and component manufacturing sector.

Daily Trust reported that the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Joseph Osanipin, revealed this during the 2026 West Africa Automotive Show held in Lagos with the theme, “Strengthening Automotive After-Sales Support Ecosystems for Sustainable Mobility in West Africa.”

Osanipin said the figures highlighted the urgent need for Nigeria to prioritise local component parts manufacturing and strengthen its aftersales ecosystem in order to reduce dependence on imports and create jobs.

According to him, while Nigeria spent approximately N2.7 trillion on imported vehicles, including fully built units and assembled vehicles in 2025, the amount spent on spare parts within the same year was significantly higher.

“In 2025 alone, Nigeria spent N6.54 trillion on spare parts. What we spend on spare parts annually is approximately 12 to 15 per cent of the national budget,” he said.

He added that the amount spent on spare parts in Nigeria exceeds the annual budgets of several African countries combined, describing the sector as a major economic opportunity for investors and manufacturers.

Osanipin stressed that the real sustainability of the automotive industry lies not in vehicle sales alone but in the strength of the aftersales market.

“The true test of our industrial capability is not whether we can build or sell vehicles. The true test is whether we can maintain the vehicles. It is not about selling; it is about maintaining,” he stated.

The NADDC boss explained that aftersales services include workshops, spare parts distribution, technicians, equipment, logistics and financing systems needed to sustain vehicles throughout their lifespan.

According to him, vehicle ownership extends far beyond the point of purchase, as maintenance costs over the lifespan of a vehicle often exceed the initial purchase price.

“The time you exchange keys is just a moment. But what happens after that moment is what determines the life of that vehicle,” he added.

Osanipin noted that most vehicles remain in use for up to 15 years, requiring continuous replacement of tyres, lubricants and mechanical components.

He warned that Nigeria risks losing the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) if it fails to aggressively develop local component manufacturing capacity.

He explained that under the AfCFTA “Rule of Origin” framework, countries that can demonstrate that at least 40 per cent of a component is locally sourced would enjoy duty-free access to export such products across Africa.

According to him, countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Ghana and Togo are already positioning themselves to take advantage of the opportunities.

“If we fail to take advantage, other countries can produce en masse and ship those components into Nigeria without paying duty. Then what happens to our industries and our young people? There will be no jobs for them,” he warned.

Osanipin also acknowledged the contribution of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), noting that the association has over 10,000 members engaged in spare parts trading across the country.

He urged both local and foreign investors to channel investments into component parts production, stressing that the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry depends on strong aftersales support and local manufacturing capabilities.

“The economy of automotive survival and sustainability, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, is in aftersales. When we talk about consumer confidence and trust in automotive products, we are talking about aftersales,” he said.

Chairman WAAS Conference 2026, Luqman Mamudu said this year’s theme “speaks directly to one of the most critical pillars of the automotive industry — the ability not only to sell vehicles, but to sustain them efficiently, safely, and affordably throughout their lifecycle.

“Across West Africa, the future of mobility will depend greatly on the strength of our after-sales ecosystem — from skilled technicians and modern workshops, to genuine spare parts distribution, digital diagnostics, customer support systems, training institutions, and reliable service networks. Without these foundations, sustainable mobility cannot be achieved.”