The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulation, a policy aimed at protecting the environment while transforming waste into economic opportunities.
This announcement was made by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator John Enoh, during a stakeholders’ engagement organized by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in Lagos.
Senator Enoh emphasized Nigeria’s potential to develop a multi-billion-dollar industry from automotive waste, which could create an extensive and valuable economic chain. He noted that this sector, valued at approximately $60 billion globally, is expanding rapidly, and Nigeria must position itself to benefit.
According to him, about 400,000 of the 500,000 vehicles imported annually into Nigeria are used, leaving the country vulnerable to environmental hazards caused by ageing vehicles. The ELV Regulation seeks to mitigate these risks by ensuring proper management of automotive waste.
The minister highlighted that waste is no longer merely discarded but repurposed into valuable resources. He called for collaboration among government agencies, industry players, and the public to ensure the success of this initiative.
He also praised NADDC Director-General Joseph Osanipin for his dedication to advancing Nigeria’s automotive sector and urged stakeholders to move from discussions to tangible results.
The ELV Regulation was officially launched during the event, marking a significant step toward fostering environmental sustainability and economic growth. Experts presented insights on the environmental impact of ELVs and strategies for transforming the scrap industry. Among them were Dr. Fyneray Mbata, Mr. Idowu Oresanya, Dr. Chimere May, and Dr. Kemjika Ajoku.
In his remarks, NADDC Director-General Osanipin expressed gratitude for stakeholder support in making this initiative a reality.
