Abuja, Feb.23, 2026 (NAN) Knowledge-based and accurate reporting have been identified as the keys not only to changing the negative narratives about the country but stabilising the economy.
Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Joseph Osanipin, stated this at a capacity building programme for the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja on Monday.
Osanipin, speaking on the theme: ‘Strengthening Sectoral Communication and Legislative Reporting on Nigeria’s Automotive Industry Development’, urged the media to report accurately.
“We want the media to change the narrative of negative stories about Nigeria,” he said.
The director-general, who acknowledged the importance of knowledge, said that the programme was designed to equip journalists with automotive knowledge.
He affirmed NADDC’s efforts in not only building automotive but transferring technology aimed at strengthening foreign exchange.
Osanipin called for collective action among Nigerians to dominate the African market with Nigerian-made automotives.
The director-general, who reiterated calls for synergy among stakeholders for economic reforms, stressed the need for enabling legislations for investments to thrive in the country.
Also speaking, Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Rep. Akin Rotimi, reiterated the commitment of the 10th Assembly to strengthening the economy through reforms.
Rotimi said that the legislature was also determined to promote capacity building for relevant stakeholders for national development.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Tattito Leadership and Professional Development Academy (TLPDA), Mr Sheni Kasamito, said that the programme was aimed at equipping journalists with automotive knowledge for accurate reporting.
According to him, accuracy in reporting is crucial in promoting economic and political stability nationwide.
On her part, the Chairperson, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT chapter, Ms Grace Ike, said that the workshop was a platform for equipping journalists with accurate reporting to enhance transparency.
Ike, who lauded the National Assembly for building the capacity of journalists, urged them to report accurately.
Also speaking, the Chairman, House of Representatives Press Corps, Mr, Gboyega Onadiran, called for promotion of local content for economic stability.
Onadiran said that Nigeria, with over 200 million people and one of Africa’s largest consumer-markets, should not merely be a destination for imported vehicles.
“Nigeria must deliberately position itself as a production hub,” he said.
He expressed the regret that that for decades, dependence on fully-built imported vehicles had resulted in massive capital flight and abysmal industrial expansion.
Onadiran stressed the imperatives of strengthening local automotive production directly to address the persistent pressure on foreign exchange and weak local value chains. (NAN)
