Why Nigeria’s Auto Industry Collapsed – Onu

The Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has attributed the collapse of Nigeria’s automobile and other industries to the absence of research and development.

He said that there is no reason Nigeria’s auto industry should not be strong enough to survive external competition, with the highest population, largest economy and market in Africa

Onu said: “I think that was where Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN), failed and all the other industries. So as soon as there was competition from outside, all these companies collapsed and we believe that we have to learn a lesson from this. “

“If you look at what happened in 1980s and 1990s it is very clear to us that if our automobile industry had done research and developmental work for a period of time we would have been strong enough.

“Even when government opened up the sector to competition from outside, because government will not to hover forever they would not want to stop competition from outside.”

He said government will not fail in supporting and encouraging local industries to thrive, adding that the ministry will lead the push for the patronage of Made in Nigeria Products.