The Organizers of the West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS) believe Nigeria needs to prepare for new technologies in the automotive sector as this year’s show ends. The fact that these technologies are coming to these parts of the world is positive, but they should be embraced as they develop.
Featuring exhibitors from Africa, Asia, America and Europe, this year’s show featured the latest technologies in vehicle spare parts including lubricants, batteries, and others for vehicle owners and auto engineers to use.
What They Have to Say Abou Nigerian Automotive Sector
Ben Dadswell, Exhibition Manager, BtoB Events, told newsmen: “We are here because this is the fastest growing economy in West Africa with 20 million people.” It is Nigeria’s responsibility to keep up with technology, if it does not, it will fall behind. Bringing these technologies to these parts of the world is a good thing, but they must be embraced; of course, there is a business opportunity.”
Speaking on whether Nigeria is ripe for electric vehicles despite its challenges, he said, “With the electric vehicles there are challenges everywhere, even in the United Kingdom where we are based.
“They get more patronage but the stake for people buying it is the battery life and how long it takes to recharge, it is not efficient. In terms of fueling the car, it takes a few seconds, you have to buy half an hour for it to charge. So there are challenges when it comes to electric vehicles everywhere in the world.
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“Again over time, you have got to move with the time where the world is going, and then you need to start implementing that. You get just as ready as anywhere else.”
However, he said the show has recorded great success so far, describing all the exhibitors that have come on board as amazing.
“We have had a good time here with positive feedback. We have prepaid visitors who had access to the three days event, we keep seeing the same faces plus more, which shows this is a powerful exhibition.
The exhibitors are very happy with the way things are going.”
Some of the exhibitors described the Nigerian market as very huge, stating that the country’s business environment favours the automotive business due to its population and the large appetite of vehicle owners for quality spare parts.
Nigerian Automotive Journalists Training Holds July 29
Meanwhile, The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Training/Capacity Building programme is set for Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Golden Tulip Hotel Essential on International Airport Road, Lagos.
According to the training Committee, the programme is aimed at growing the automotive industry in Nigeria and globally.
As part of the motoring journalists’ contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry, this year’s training/capacity programme addresses the theme, “Accelerating Automobile Industry Recovery Strategy In Post COVID-19 Era.”.
Well-grounded facilitators expected to take charge during the training programmes are Prof Charles Asenime of the Transport Department, Lagos State University, Yusuf Aweda Jimoh Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Network and Software Engineer.
While Prof Asenime will speak on “Steps For quick auto industry recovery, post Covid-19”, Engr Jimoh will take on the participants on “Managing Reports Under Remote and Hybrid Workplaces”.
Julie Chi-Nwaoha, chairperson of the training committee said the one-day training programme is expected to enrich and expand the knowledge of the motoring journalists, in not only the topics slated but in general automotive industry trends.
She added that this edition is going to be very unique as it is coming at a time most stakeholders are recovering rapidly from the effects of Covid-19 which put the industry on its toes in the past few years.
On his part, Mike Ochonma, chairman, of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association re-elected last February for the second term noted that the automotive industry remains one of the critical sectors in the country and that is why NAJA is pushing to offer the best in terms of information dissemination.
The annual success story of the training programme started many years when Ford Motors South Africa (FMCSA) in collaboration with Coscharis Motors; its local franchisee were the lead sponsors of the first and second editions held in 2016 and 2017, while Stallion Motors Nigeria Limited in collaboration with Nissan Motors South Africa were the lead sponsors of the 2018 edition.