₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Olajumoke Oduwole, said she chose a Nord Demir, assembled at the University of Lagos Assembly Plant, as her new official vehicle to boost local industry, create jobs, support education, and demonstrate that Nigerian institutions can deliver world-class solutions.

A statement by UNILAG on Friday said the minister, an alumna of UNILAG’s Faculty of Law and former lecturer at the institution, returned to her alma mater for what she described as a “homecoming of purpose.”

“This car is more than a mode of transport; it is a symbol of faith in Nigeria. I chose UNILAG because this partnership boosts local industry, creates jobs, supports education, and proves that our institutions can deliver world-class innovation. I will drive it with pride in Abuja and on official engagements,” Oduwole said after turning the ignition of the locally assembled vehicle.

The Minister explained that the decision was not just about patronising a local brand but about aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasised industrialisation and economic stability.

This is a practical demonstration of the Nigeria-First Initiative of Mr. President. By choosing this car, we are promoting research, encouraging innovation, and showing our young people that they can build solutions the world will respect,” she said.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), Prof. Bola Oboh hailed the minister’s choice as a historic affirmation of UNILAG’s role in bridging academia and industry.

“It is not only symbolic but inspirational that one of our own, who once studied and taught here, has returned as a minister to receive a vehicle assembled by UNILAG students on our soil. This sends a message that with knowledge and innovation, Nigerians can dream and achieve big,” Oboh said.

The minister was also conducted on a tour of the Nord Automobile facilities at UNILAG, including the assembly line, research and development unit, and showroom.

Since its establishment in July 2022, the UNILAG–Nord partnership has remained Africa’s first university-based automobile assembly plant, producing up to five vehicles and offering cross-disciplinary internship opportunities.

Students gain hands-on experience in automobile manufacturing, as well as exposure to emerging technologies such as electric vehicles and drone assembly.

For UNILAG, the milestone reaffirmed its identity as “the University of First Choice and the Nation’s Pride.”

For Oduwole, it was the completion of a circle — from student to lecturer, to minister — and now, an advocate for Nigerian-made solutions.

The statement added, “As she drove away in her Nord Demir, one message stood out: Nigeria’s future will not be imported. It will be built here, by Nigerians, for Nigerians.”

Suicideboy:
building cars when most nigerians cant fford common household appliances
its not as if they are building cheap affordable cars

why build cheap affordable mini trucks, mini tractors, mini buses etc instead of this rubbish
the black man is forever gone in terms of IQ

I weep for the black race

banku:
E pain you, no be small

Suicideboy:
building cars when most nigerians cant fford common household appliances


its not as if they are building cheap affordable cars

why build cheap affordable mini trucks, mini tractors, mini buses etc instead of this rubbish


the black man is forever gone in terms of IQ

I weep for the black race

Suicideboy:
building cars when most nigerians cant fford common household appliances


its not as if they are building cheap affordable cars

why build cheap affordable mini trucks, mini tractors, mini buses etc instead of this rubbish


the black man is forever gone in terms of IQ

I weep for the black race

press9jatv:
The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Olajumoke Oduwole, said she chose a Nord Demir, assembled at the University of Lagos Assembly Plant, as her new official vehicle to boost local industry, create jobs, support education, and demonstrate that Nigerian institutions can deliver world-class solutions.

A statement by UNILAG on Friday said the minister, an alumna of UNILAG’s Faculty of Law and former lecturer at the institution, returned to her alma mater for what she described as a “homecoming of purpose.”

“This car is more than a mode of transport; it is a symbol of faith in Nigeria. I chose UNILAG because this partnership boosts local industry, creates jobs, supports education, and proves that our institutions can deliver world-class innovation. I will drive it with pride in Abuja and on official engagements,” Oduwole said after turning the ignition of the locally assembled vehicle.

The Minister explained that the decision was not just about patronising a local brand but about aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasised industrialisation and economic stability.

This is a practical demonstration of the Nigeria-First Initiative of Mr. President. By choosing this car, we are promoting research, encouraging innovation, and showing our young people that they can build solutions the world will respect,” she said.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), Prof. Bola Oboh hailed the minister’s choice as a historic affirmation of UNILAG’s role in bridging academia and industry.

“It is not only symbolic but inspirational that one of our own, who once studied and taught here, has returned as a minister to receive a vehicle assembled by UNILAG students on our soil. This sends a message that with knowledge and innovation, Nigerians can dream and achieve big,” Oboh said.

The minister was also conducted on a tour of the Nord Automobile facilities at UNILAG, including the assembly line, research and development unit, and showroom.

Since its establishment in July 2022, the UNILAG–Nord partnership has remained Africa’s first university-based automobile assembly plant, producing up to five vehicles and offering cross-disciplinary internship opportunities.

Students gain hands-on experience in automobile manufacturing, as well as exposure to emerging technologies such as electric vehicles and drone assembly.

For UNILAG, the milestone reaffirmed its identity as “the University of First Choice and the Nation’s Pride.”

For Oduwole, it was the completion of a circle — from student to lecturer, to minister — and now, an advocate for Nigerian-made solutions.

The statement added, “As she drove away in her Nord Demir, one message stood out: Nigeria’s future will not be imported. It will be built here, by Nigerians, for Nigerians.”
https://punchng.com/why-i-chose-unilag-assembled-car-as-official-vehicle-minister/?amp

nairalanda1:
While we should industralize, there is no where where cars are cheap and affordable

Even in 'saner climes'...they offer cars with something called financing. IE...a loan. You have to pay back the loan. Only the very very rich, or people who have saved money for several years can afford to pay for cars with cash straight.

White man is not superior to black man. The issue with the whites, and even Asians, they grew up in countries with limited resources, so it was either develop tech, or starve. Nigeria has too many resources that we use to think we are rich...when we can use them to develop industries.

At least domestic car manufacturers like NORD and INNOSON are starting somewhere. You don't have to deinegrate your race because you think they are superior. Heck...Japanese cars better pass American or even European cars self.

Suicideboy:
you literally forgot we are a developing nation not a developed country . you literally try to sink people in debt instead of uplift people out of debt

china did with bicycles before they started making cars. bicycle was so huge thing in china that every family had one


innoson started well producing consumer products which gives him bulk profits compared to his car manfacturing plant or non existent nord, my grandma doesnt know what is a nord

Suicideboy:
building cars when most nigerians cant fford common household appliances


its not as if they are building cheap affordable cars

why build cheap affordable mini trucks, mini tractors, mini buses etc instead of this rubbish


the black man is forever gone in terms of IQ

I weep for the black race

Suicideboy:
building cars when most nigerians cant fford common household appliances


its not as if they are building cheap affordable cars

why build cheap affordable mini trucks, mini tractors, mini buses etc instead of this rubbish


the black man is forever gone in terms of IQ

I weep for the black race

AntiChristian:
Assuming say na Peter Obi we would be exporting cars from UNILAG now!

What are we celebrating here now?



Vote Peter Obi and every road will be tarred to your respective houses! Soup will be free and you only need to get garri!

Suicideboy:
im pained because the white man is superior than the black man

CodeTemplarr:
Dont confuse the "auto" for automated assembly. It is actual manual labour-intensive assembly of auto-mobiles.

FarahAideed:
Unilag assembled Chinese car , it's high time we stopped pretending we make cars in this country

Suicideboy:
building cars when most nigerians cant fford common household appliances


its not as if they are building cheap affordable cars

why build cheap affordable mini trucks, mini tractors, mini buses etc instead of this rubbish


the black man is forever gone in terms of IQ

I weep for the black race

AntiChristian:
Assuming say na Peter Obi we would be exporting cars from UNILAG now!

What are we celebrating here now?



Vote Peter Obi and every road will be tarred to your respective houses! Soup will be free and you only need to get garri!