Jelani Aliyu, MFR, a renowned international Automotive Designer, presently holds the esteemed position of Director General at the National Automotive Design and Development Council in Nigeria.
He embarked on his educational journey at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, United States, and honed his skills while collaborating with General Motors in both the United States and Germany. Remarkably, he played a pivotal role in shaping a range of immensely successful vehicles for the company, including the Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Silverado, and the groundbreaking Chevrolet Volt Electric Car, a technological marvel that has reshaped the global Automotive Industry.
With roots in Sokoto State, Nigeria, Aliyu’s profound pride in his Nigerian heritage is palpable. Born in Kaduna and raised in the vibrant city of Sokoto, his family’s origins trace back to Dogondaji in Tambuwal Local Government.
He possesses a deep-seated commitment to his homeland, Nigeria, and the preservation of our environment.
Aliyu ardently endeavors to inspire his fellow Nigerians to tap into their innate potential, emphasizing that, beyond careers and professions, it is imperative for all of us to work in unity, harnessing our individual strengths and modest resources to effect positive change in our communities.
In his capacity as the Director General and CEO of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Aliyu has been at the forefront of remarkable progress in the Nigerian Automotive Sector. Under his leadership, the sector has attracted substantial private investments from automotive companies, totaling over 1 billion US dollars. These companies, boasting a combined production capacity exceeding 400,000 units per year, are actively manufacturing diverse vehicle models and configurations within the country. Notable participants include DanGote-Sino Trucks, Innoson, Peugeot, Honda, Lanre Shittu, Mikano/Geely, Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai. Over 30,000 Nigerian youths have been empowered through mechatronics training, with the establishment of 21 Automotive Training Centers nationwide, three Automotive Testing Laboratories, and two additional Service Hubs currently under development.
Aliyu’s agency has successfully completed the construction of a state-of-the-art Research and Development Centre in Samaru, Zaria, dedicated to the production of two Nigeria-specific vehicles designed by Jelani Aliyu.
Guided by Aliyu’s vision, the Council has launched the assembly of Electric Vehicles, such as the Hyundai Kona EV and the Jet Motors Electric Bus and Van.
In addition, three 100% Solar Electric Vehicle Charging Stations have been deployed at strategic locations, including the University of Lagos, Usmanu Dan Fodio University in Sokoto, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Dan Fodio. These pioneering projects have firmly established Nigeria as a prominent global advocate for e-mobility and the sustainability of the planet’s environment.
Beyond his role as an Automotive/Industrial Designer, Jelani Aliyu is also an accomplished Architectural Conceptualist, Technology and Environmental Sustainability Advocate, and a dedicated mentor to Nigerian youth.
He is the visionary founder of the Jelani Aliyu Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to innovative social interventions in healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability, all aimed at propelling the progress of Nigeria and Africa.
In his own words, Jelani Aliyu believes that Nigeria should be defined not by its current challenges but by its dreams and aspirations.
He firmly asserts that there are no impossibilities and that a better Nigeria awaits, ready to be built by the collective efforts of its people.