The federal government has trained 100 youths in Zamfara State in specialised mechatronics for the repair and maintenance of petrol and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tricycles and motorcycles, as it commissioned the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) Automotive Training Centre in Gusau.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s broader industrialisation drive anchored on a newly launched national industrial policy.
He said the automotive sector remains central to the country’s economic transformation agenda.
“If you look at this industry worldwide, you’ll appreciate that normally this industry is a great driver of industrialization globally,” Enoh said.
He added that the federal government formally launched Nigeria’s industrial policy on February 17, 2026, describing it as a milestone in the administration’s economic agenda.
“You know, as a country, on the 17th of February 2026, we launched a Nigerian industrial policy, which is the first in decades,” he said.
“That launch was a promise delivered when Mr. President was inaugurated on 29th of May 2023 at Eagle Square. He committed to industrial policy. On the 17th of February 2026 we delivered on it.”
Enoh said the administration views the automotive industry as a key driver of industrialisation and job creation, adding that the training centre represents more than a physical structure.
“It is the opening of a gateway to opportunities, a gateway to innovation,” he said.
He also commended collaboration between the Federal Government, Zamfara State Government, and private sector partners, including Patson Nig. Ltd, describing it as a model for industrial growth.
Earlier, Enoh praised the company’s leadership for establishing a fully Nigerian-owned enterprise and said government is expanding engagement with investors to deepen industrial capacity.
In his remarks, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, welcomed the establishment of the training centre and the graduation of the 100 pioneer trainees, describing the project as a critical step toward addressing youth unemployment and building technical capacity.
He said the centre would function as a hub for maintenance, diagnostics, and servicing of petrol and CNG-powered vehicles, ensuring sustainability and efficient service delivery.
“Our administration firmly believes that investing in technical and vocational education remains one of the most sustainable approaches to reducing unemployment, stimulating entrepreneurship, and enhancing economic productivity,” the governor said.
Lawal added that the state government would continue to support skills development programmes while calling on private sector players, development partners, and federal agencies to deepen collaboration.
He also announced that the state had commenced construction of an access road to improve connectivity to the facility, stressing that sustainability and effective management remain priorities.
The commissioning marks part of ongoing efforts to expand technical education and promote automotive innovation in Nigeria’s northwestern region.
