Zenith Bank tops awards list as Toyota Nigeria celebrates three decades of excellence (plus photos)

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the biggest winner at the 2026 Toyota Awards and Customers’ Night, clinching the coveted Evergreen Customer of the Year Award for the second consecutive year in recognition of its exceptional patronage of Toyota vehicles over the past five years.

The colourful event, held on Friday, May 5, 2026, at The Podium Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos, brought together an impressive gathering of customers, dealers, government officials, corporate partners, media practitioners and industry stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) and strengthen the partnerships that have sustained its leadership in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

The annual awards ceremony serves as a platform to reward loyal customers, honour strategic partners and reinforce the company’s customer-first philosophy.

The highlight of the evening came when representatives of Zenith Bank were invited to the stage to receive the prestigious award for purchasing the highest number of Toyota vehicles from TNL dealerships in 2025.

The banking giant also secured the same honour last year after emerging as the customer with the highest cumulative vehicle purchases between 2020 and 2024.

In recognition of the feat, Chairman and founder of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, presented Zenith Bank with the keys to a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross.

The competition in the Customer of the Year category was equally keen. AGL Motors emerged as the overall winner, while the Nigerian Army and Zenith Bank finished as first and second runners-up respectively. The winners received office equipment worth several millions of naira.

The 2026 edition of the awards carried special significance as Toyota Nigeria celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of operations since its establishment in 1996.

In keeping with its tradition of recognising contributors across its business ecosystem, Toyota Nigeria also honoured outstanding automotive journalists whose reports and analyses helped shape public understanding of developments in the industry.

Veteran motoring journalist, Theodore Opara of Vanguard, was named Journalist of the Year for his consistent coverage of the automotive sector and insightful reporting on industry trends and Toyota’s innovations.

Mike Ochonma of Transport World emerged as the runner-up, while Rasheed Bisiriyu of Newstrends was recognised as the second runner-up for their contributions to automotive journalism, particularly in the areas of vehicle technology, mobility solutions and market analysis.ĺ

Earlier in his keynote address, Managing Director of TNL, Kunle Ade-Ojo reflected on the company’s journey, describing the milestone as a testament to resilience, innovation and customer loyalty.

“Tonight is a moment of reflection, celebration and renewed commitment,” he said.

“For us at Toyota Nigeria, this annual gathering is more than a tradition. It is a deliberate expression of our enduring philosophy of putting the customer first. It provides a unique platform to honour the loyalty, trust and partnership that have defined our journey over the years.”

According to him, Toyota Nigeria has evolved from modest beginnings into one of the country’s most trusted automotive brands through a relentless focus on quality, reliability and service excellence.

“Since commencing operations in 1996, our journey has been defined by resilience, growth and transformation. Our progress over the past three decades has been anchored on one unwavering principle—creating value for our customers.

“Beyond delivering vehicles that meet diverse mobility needs, we have invested significantly in building a nationwide after-sales ecosystem designed to provide a seamless and premium ownership experience.”

Ade-Ojo assured customers and stakeholders that Toyota Nigeria would continue to innovate and improve its products and services despite prevailing economic challenges.

Several dealers and business partners used the occasion to commend Toyota Nigeria for its continuous investments in dealer development, training initiatives and workshop upgrades aimed at improving service delivery nationwide.

Ade-Ojo expressed gratitude to Toyota Nigeria’s extensive network of stakeholders, including dealers, customers, suppliers, consultants, financial institutions and employees.

“The journey of the past 30 years would not have been possible without the unwavering support and contributions of our stakeholders,” he said.

The managing director also acknowledged the support of Toyota Nigeria’s principal partner, Toyota Motor Corporation, as well as the company’s board of directors led by Chief Ade.Ojo.

He further assured customers that Toyota Nigeria would continue to introduce customer-friendly initiatives designed to make vehicle ownership more accessible despite economic headwinds.

“Despite the monumental challenges in the economy, Toyota Nigeria will continue to devise means that will enable our customers to enjoy their preferred auto brand—Toyota. We will continue to initiate customer-friendly business improvement strategies aimed at making our vehicles more affordable.”

Toyota Motor Show Ignites Youth Interest in Future Mobility

Toyota Nigeria Limited turned the spotlight on the next generation of tech leaders and automotive enthusiasts at the 2026 Toyota Motor Show.

Held at The Podium in Lekki, Lagos, the four-day exhibition dedicated its second day entirely to fueling youth innovation, featuring high-stakes academic battles, technical workshops, and star-studded panels.

The youth-focused itinerary kicked off with an intensive Technical Workshop led by Toyota Nigeria’s Master Technician and Key Instructor, Saheed Shorinola.

The masterclass set the stage for a thrilling day of intellectual rivalry, where students and young professionals put their creativity and analytical skills to the test.

Brilliant Minds Battle for N1.550 million in Cash Prizes.

The atmosphere electrified as two powerhouse student teams clashed in a debate centred on the future of mobility and technological innovation.

• The Debate Champions: Team A—comprising Robinson Goodness, Esabu Blessing, and Igbayisemore Tony—clinched victory after a fiercely contested argument, walking away with the N600,000 grand prize.

The Runners-Up: Team B, featuring Akinware Breakthrough, Yusuf Rahimat, and Dawn Ijaware, put up a stellar defense to secure the N300,000 runner-up prize.

Intellectual fireworks continued during a high-speed automotive quiz. After multiple elimination rounds testing deep knowledge of vehicle mechanics and Toyota history, the final three emerged triumphant:

• 1st Place (N250,000): Feyisetan Tolase Emmanuel

• 2nd Place (N150,000): Ayorinde Bolarinwa

• 3rd Place (N100,000): Shobowale Oladimeji.

. Mario Chukwuma, Aduloju Oluwatomiwa and Abdulsemiu Ayodeji came 4th, 5th and 6th respectively, going home with N50,000 each as event reward.

Star-Studded Judging and Corporate Vision

The brilliant performances drew high praise from the judges’ bench, which was chaired by award-winning actress and social advocate Kate Henshaw.

“The future remains bright when young people are encouraged to embrace knowledge and innovation,” Henshaw remarked, praising the contestants’ confidence and analytical depth.

Also on the panel were TV personality and influencer Somadina ‘Soma’ Anyama, Toyota Nigeria’s Head of Service Sylvester Enwere, and Head of Dealer Development and Special Projects, Henry Ojuoko.

“Toyota’s mission goes beyond selling vehicles,” said Ojuoko. “It is about inspiring curiosity and encouraging young Nigerians to explore massive opportunities in technology, mobility, and innovation.”

Cars, Comedy, and Beats: A 4-Day Spectacle

The Motor Show, which ran from June 2 to June 4 and June 6, was described as a masterclass in brand engagement.

• On the Track: Visitors enjoyed exclusive test drives of flagship models, including the Camry, RAV4, Land Cruiser, Corolla, and Hilux, alongside receiving free vehicle diagnostic services.
• In the Crowds: Popular comedian and content creator Mama Deola took over day 3, bringing her signature humour to the showroom floor while highlighting vehicle features for fans.
• The Grand Finale: The exhibition wrapped up on Saturday with an explosive DJ/music festival of sort, hosted by celebrity On-Air-Personality Dotun. The highlight was the “DJ Bump Off”—a heated wheels-of-steel battle featuring four top DJs, where the delectable female DJ Medusa, out-mixed the competition to take home the crown.

By blending education, high-stakes competition, and top-tier entertainment, Toyota Nigeria Limited has once again proved that the future of mobility is not just about the machines—it’s about the people driving the conversation.

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.