Japan to support Nigeria’s automobile development plan

Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Ryuichi Shoji

Japan has pledged to provide technical assistance to the Federal Government in the implementation of the proposed Automobile Development Plan aimed at ensuring the production of various vehicles in the country.

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, who confirmed this while on a facility tour of the Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, on Wednesday, said the support would involve the training of the relevant manpower for the realisation of the plan.

He said his country was prepared to provide the necessary facilities and equipment to aid the educational development of Nigeria.

According to him, Japan is ready to support Nigeria’s quest to develop its automobile industry and join the league of vehicle producing nations.

Shoji, however, noted that the dream was a long-term one that could not be achieved in a short time, adding that the country would require some years before the plan could be realised.

The ambassador noted that Nigeria, with a large population, already had the human resources required for its development, adding that the country should endeavour to use the advantage to improve its economy.

Shoji said, “Basically, investment will be made by each of the companies; what the Japanese Embassy can do is to provide support and assistance that will facilitate the development in the automobile industry in Nigeria; we don’t think this can be done in one year or two years; it is a long-term objective; developing the automobile industry takes time.

“There is a need to start with the provision of infrastructure like power, water and so on; the automobile industry is a complicated industry, but we will support it. Also, supporting industries like spare parts making should be developed; we can see that this cannot be done in one or two years, it is a long process and we will support this process if well managed.”

Earlier, the founder, Elizade University and Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo,  said he had built a relationship with Japan in the last 42 years through his association with Toyota, which is one of the leading vehicle manufacturers in the world.

He said the establishment of the institution was as a result of his connection with Japan, adding that whatever he was today was made possible by his association with the Asian country.

Ade-Ojo said the university was young and hungry for assistance as it was just starting in its quest to be a world-class institution.

He noted that the visit of the ambassador would be the beginning of a very strong relationship between Japan and the university.