Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has pledged to push for increased government patronage of vehicles assembled by Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (D-PAN) Limited, saying such support is vital to sustaining local manufacturing.
The governor made the commitment on Friday after unveiling the 2026 Peugeot 5008 at the D-PAN factory in Kaduna.
Sani said he would raise the issue at the National Economic Council (NEC), urging federal and state governments to patronise vehicles produced by the company.
“I will make a strong presentation at the National Economic Council, urging both the federal and state governments to patronize the products of this company because that is the only way they can survive,” he said.
He also announced plans for the Kaduna State Government to purchase some vehicles from D-PAN as part of efforts to demonstrate confidence in locally manufactured products.
“As a government, Kaduna State will order some of the vehicles, so that we can show the example for others to follow, by patronizing this very important company,” the governor said.
Sani commended D-PAN’s Chairman, Aliko Dangote, for what he described as his commitment to investing in Nigeria, noting that the company had contributed to employment creation and skills development in Kaduna.
According to him, the automobile plant had helped address some skill gaps while stimulating economic activities within its host community and the wider state.
The governor further pledged continued support for D-PAN, stressing that Kaduna State’s stake in the company made it necessary to strengthen the partnership.
He also urged the automobile company to consider employing graduates of the state’s Institute of Vocational and Skills Development, who recently completed intensive training in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Sani commended D-PAN’s corporate social responsibility initiatives in communities around its operations but encouraged the company to increase its support.
He said maintaining the peaceful relationship between the company and its host community required sustained investment in the welfare and development of the people.
“The host community and D-PAN are coexisting peacefully and the only way that we can maintain this harmony is by giving adequate support to them,” he said.
