Brains, Innovation as Young minds Steal Spotlight at Toyota Show Mobility Challenge

The future of mobility took centre stage at the Toyota Motor Show in Lagos on Wednesday as brilliant young Nigerians showcased their intellect, creativity and passion for innovation in a thrilling debate and quiz competition organised by Toyota Nigeria Limited.

The highlight of the event held at The Podium Lekki was a fiercely contested debate between two teams of young participants who impressed judges and spectators alike with their eloquence, confidence and ability to marshal convincing arguments.

After a closely fought contest, Team A, comprising Robinson Goodness, Esabu Blessing and Igbayisemore Tony, emerged victorious, narrowly defeating Team B made up of Akinware Breakthrough, Yusuf Rahimat and Dawn Ijaware.

The winning team received a cash prize of N600,000, while the runners-up went home with N300,000.

The quiz competition also generated excitement, with six contestants battling through multiple rounds of questions. Three participants were eliminated in the opening stages before the contest narrowed to a gripping final round focused largely on Toyota vehicle models and automotive knowledge.

The audience watched in admiration as the finalists displayed remarkable speed, accuracy and composure in their efforts to outsmart one another.

At the end of the contest, Feyisetan Tolase Emmanuel emerged champion and received N250,000, while Ayorinde Bolarinwa secured second place and was rewarded with N150,000.

Award-winning actor/social advocate, Kate Henshaw, who chaired the panel of judges, praised the contestants for their impressive performances and commitment to learning.

She expressed delight at the confidence, intelligence and creativity displayed by the young people, adding that the future remained bright when knowledge and innovation are encouraged.

Also on the panel was Toyota Nigeria Limited’s Head of Dealer Development and Special Duties, Henry Ojuoko, who said the programme reflected Toyota’s commitment to nurturing future innovators.

According to him, beyond selling vehicles, the TNL wants to inspire curiosity and encourage young Nigerians to explore opportunities in technology, mobility and innovation.

According to the organisers, the second day of the exhibition was deliberately dedicated to students and young professionals as part of efforts to raise awareness about automotive innovation and stimulate youth participation in discussions around the future of transportation.

The day’s activities also featured Somadina Anyama popularly called Soma – TV personality/brand influencer/actor, who joined the panel and Toyota team in the interactive section.

The Toyota Motor Show, which commenced on June 2, is the third edition of the exhibition organised by Toyota Nigeria Limited. The four-day event offers visitors opportunities to explore the company’s latest vehicle models, participate in interactive sessions, enjoy test drives and access free vehicle diagnostic services.

Visitors also experienced Toyota’s latest mobility solutions while test-driving selected models including the Camry, RAV4 and Hilux, among others.

The exhibition will conclude on Saturday with another live recording of Toyota’s PodCARst, featuring social media influencer Ride With Mee, alongside entertainment activities, outdoor games, prizes and additional test-drive sessions.

Toyota Nigeria said the event underscores its commitment to deepening engagement with customers and the wider public through education, innovation and direct interaction with the brand.

Nigeria Must Build, Not Just Import Vehicles, Oyeyemi Tells FG as Auto Policy Review Begins

The Federal Government has commenced a fresh review of Nigeria’s automotive policy to accommodate emerging technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles and other alternative energy solutions, even as stakeholders have called for a more consistent policy framework that prioritises local manufacturing and value creation.

The development was disclosed at the 30th anniversary celebration of Motoring World International in Lagos, where industry leaders highlighted the urgent need to reposition Nigeria’s automotive sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, represented by the ministry’s Desk Officer for the Auto Industry, Samuel Adetoro, said the ongoing policy review is aimed at aligning Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem with global trends in sustainable mobility and industrial development.

According to the minister, the automotive industry remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda with the capacity to generate employment, attract investments, deepen local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported vehicles.

She explained that while the existing automotive policy had provided a framework for vehicle assembly operations, rapid technological advancements and changing global realities made it necessary to update the policy to address current and future transportation needs.

“The Ministry is working closely with stakeholders on the review of the National Automotive Industry Development Framework to ensure that it responds effectively to emerging realities, including electric mobility, CNG vehicles, automotive software development, smart manufacturing and green transportation technologies,” she said.

Oduwole added that the government is seeking to create an enabling environment that will encourage local production and assembly of alternative-fuel vehicles, while strengthening local content development, technology transfer, research and development, and the competitiveness of Nigerian automotive manufacturers.

She stressed that collaboration between government and the private sector would be crucial to building an automotive ecosystem capable of serving both domestic and regional markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The review comes amid the prolonged delay in the passage of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) Bill, which is intended to provide a legislative and regulatory framework for investors in the sector.

The bill, passed by the Eighth National Assembly, was denied presidential assent and has remained in limbo for more than a decade.

Speaking at the event, former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, urged the Federal Government to adopt a long-term and consistent automotive industry policy focused on domestic manufacturing rather than revenue generation through vehicle import duties.

Oyeyemi, who chaired the occasion and is also President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), said Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s largest automotive markets, supported by a population of over 240 million people, an estimated vehicle fleet of 21 million and more than 204,000 kilometres of road network.

However, he lamented that policy inconsistencies and weak support for local manufacturers had prevented the country from fully harnessing its vast potential.

He noted that repeated reviews of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan and related regulatory frameworks had failed to generate sustained industrial momentum, forcing investors to enter and exit the sector while several assembly plants struggled to survive.

According to him, Nigeria remains heavily dependent on imported used vehicles despite its enormous capacity for vehicle assembly, component manufacturing, automotive financing and electric vehicle infrastructure development.

Also speaking, Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, represented by the council’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Susan Bisong-Taiwo, called for stronger collaboration among government, industry stakeholders and the media to accelerate automotive industrialisation.

He said the council is implementing initiatives in electric vehicle development, CNG conversion, local content promotion, component manufacturing, skills acquisition and strategic partnerships aimed at transforming Nigeria from a vehicle-consuming nation into a leading automotive manufacturing hub in Africa.

Osanipin said the automotive industry is at a critical turning point globally, with innovations in electric mobility, alternative fuels, smart manufacturing and digital technologies redefining the future of transportation. He stressed that Nigeria must move swiftly to position itself as a key player in the evolving automotive landscape rather than remain a passive consumer of imported technologies.

According to him, the NADDC is pursuing strategic programmes designed to deepen local capacity, strengthen the automotive value chain and create employment opportunities for Nigerians. These initiatives, he noted, include support for local component manufacturing, skills development, research and innovation, as well as partnerships aimed at accelerating the adoption of cleaner and more efficient vehicle technologies.

“The future of mobility is already here, and it is being driven by innovation, sustainability and collaboration. Nigeria must not be left behind. Through deliberate policies, strategic investments and strong partnerships among government, industry players and the media, we can transform our nation from a vehicle-consuming market into a competitive automotive manufacturing and innovation hub for Africa,” Osanipin said.

Transport Expert Segun Musa to Chair 12th Nigeria Transport Lecture

Renowned transport and logistics expert, Dr. Segun Musa, has been named chairman of the 12th edition of the Nigeria Transport Lecture scheduled to hold in Lagos on June 18, 2026.

Organised by Transport Day newspaper, this year’s lecture will focus on the theme, “Multi-modal Transportation Safety in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges and Contribution to National Growth.”

Musa, Chairman and Managing Director of Widescope Logistics International, is widely respected for his extensive experience in transportation, logistics and supply chain management spanning several decades.

The event will also feature a keynote presentation by the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Kingsley Onyekachi Igwe.

Scheduled to take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, the lecture is expected to attract key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to deliberate on critical safety issues, policy reforms and strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s multi-modal transportation network.

Other notable speakers include the National President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, and the Dean of the School of Transportation and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ogochukwu Ugboma.

Over the years, the Nigeria Transport Lecture has evolved into a leading industry platform, bringing together policymakers, regulators, academics and business leaders to discuss solutions to challenges confronting the transport and logistics sector.

Previous editions have featured distinguished personalities such as former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa; and Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, among others.

Ahead of the gathering, the Editor of Transport Day Media, Mr. Frank Kintum, said the annual lecture has become an important platform for industry stakeholders to examine emerging issues and develop practical solutions for the transport sector.

He noted that this year’s focus on multi-modal transportation safety was informed by the increasing integration of road, rail, maritime and air transport systems, stressing that safety must remain at the centre of efforts to modernise the sector.

“As governments continue to invest in transport infrastructure and interconnectivity, safety cannot be treated as an afterthought. The success and sustainability of these investments depend largely on how effectively safety concerns are addressed across all modes of transport,” Kintum stated.

He further explained that the lecture forms part of Transport Day Media’s broader mission to encourage policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and industry collaboration aimed at building a safer, more efficient and globally competitive transport and logistics ecosystem in Nigeria and the wider African region.