The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Joseph Osanipin, has thrown his weight behind locally manufactured motorsport cars showcased at the just-concluded Lagos AutoFest 2025, describing the initiative as a boost to Nigeria’s automotive industry and job creation drive.
The three race cars – WP1, WP2 and WP3 – displayed at the event carried NADDC stickers and thrilled spectators with high-speed performances.
Designed and assembled in Nigeria, the vehicles drew wide attention for their Formula One-style racing display.
Lagos AutoFest 2025, a flagship automotive and entertainment event organised by Work and Play Promotions in collaboration with the BMW Club of Nigeria, transformed the Marina waterfront on Lagos Island into a motorsport arena.
The festival brought together over 100 car and bike enthusiasts and attracted thousands of spectators.
The event featured drag racing along Marina Road, Kakawa Street, Broad Street and Apongbon, looping back to Inner Marina, marking the seventh road edition of AutoFest.
Speaking on the sidelines, producer and promoter of Work and Play Motorsport, Mr. Adeoye Ojuoko, said the initiative was designed to promote Made-in-Nigeria vehicles and grow a sustainable motorsport culture.
“We have been producing motorsport cars since 2017. These cars are manufactured in Nigeria, with only the engines imported. Our goal is to showcase Nigerian engineering capacity, test what we build, and create employment through motorsport,” Ojuoko said.
He noted that local production significantly cuts costs and retains value within the Nigerian economy.
“If we import a Formula-style race car, it costs millions. Producing this locally costs about ₦20 million. That money stays in Nigeria, supports our factories and creates jobs,” he said.
Ojuoko urged NADDC to formally certify the vehicles and support efforts to scale production nationwide.
“We need NADDC to certify and promote these cars so they can be replicated across the country. To grow the automotive industry, we must build locally, test locally and race locally,” he added.
He also called for the establishment of an automotive and motorsport hub to enable more Nigerians to design, build and test race cars.
According to him, support from government institutions has been critical to the project’s growth.
“The backing we’ve received from the Lagos State Government and NADDC has been a game-changer. It’s not just symbolic; it is driving real growth. Today, we are fabricating race cars locally, something that seemed impossible a few years ago,” Ojuoko said.
AutoFest 2025 combined motorsport with culture and entertainment, featuring Made-in-Nigeria race cars, supercar and superbike displays, cultural showcases celebrating Lagos and Nigerian heritage, and live music performances.
