The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has quietly achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first university in Africa to establish and operate an automobile assembly plant — a bold step that places the institution at the cutting edge of innovation and industrial development on the continent.
Making this known on X, formerly Twiter, Faduyilemi Fajimi wrote that the facility, launched in partnership with Nord Automobiles on November 10, 2022, has been assembling vehicles and drones, training students, and advancing Nigeria’s foray into modern automotive technology.
According to him, more than just a production line, the UNILAG–Nord Auto Assembly Plant features a comprehensive ecosystem comprising a research and development centre, a vehicle assembly line, a showroom, and an after-sales service workshop. The initiative doubles as a practical training hub where engineering and technology students acquire hands-on skills essential for the evolving automotive industry.
The project’s quiet but impactful progress has drawn praise for its substance-over-spectacle approach. While many initiatives are heavily publicised yet slow to deliver, UNILAG’s venture has steadily produced tangible results that strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing base and broaden opportunities for homegrown innovation.
By combining education, research, and industrial practice, the university is not only contributing to Nigeria’s automotive future but also solidifying its reputation as a leader in innovation, practical learning, and sustainable development.
With this pioneering project, UNILAG is demonstrating that universities can be more than centres of learning — they can also be engines of industrial transformation and national progress.
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