Ex-CIG Motors GM Jubril of Lagos floats Hybrid Motors Nigeria

A former General Manager of CIG Motors, Jubril Arogundade, popularly known as “Jubril of Lagos,” has unveiled a new automotive venture, Hybrid Motors Nigeria, with a bold ambition to reshape access to hybrid, compressed natural gas (CNG), and electric vehicles across the country.

Arogundade announced the launch on his birthday, Saturday, February 28, describing the company as a response to Nigeria’s growing appetite for cleaner and more flexible mobility options. He said Hybrid Motors Nigeria aims to build “a unicorn brand in the automobile industry” within five years by bridging gaps in vehicle availability, service capacity, and supporting infrastructure.

According to him, the company’s strategy will rest on seven core pillars: local assembly of hybrid and electric vehicles; nationwide distribution of petrol, hybrid and EV models; establishment of aftersales service and training centres; spare parts supply and distribution; deployment of EV charging systems and stations with what he described as “energy intelligence”; auto asset financing; and vehicle leasing services.

He disclosed that the company’s physical rollout would be phased, with an official showroom scheduled to open in June, while plans are underway to commence factory operations next year. Although he alluded to strategic partnerships that would accelerate market entry and industry transformation, he did not name the partners.

The launch comes at a time when hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles are attracting increasing interest in Nigeria, driven by rising fuel costs, demand for lower operating expenses, and a broader shift towards cleaner transportation. Fleet operators and private motorists alike are exploring options that offer fuel flexibility and more predictable maintenance.

Hybrid Motors Nigeria said its model goes beyond vehicle sales, combining product supply with service readiness through technical training, parts availability, and charging infrastructure to prevent post-purchase support gaps that often slow adoption.

Further details on the company’s initial vehicle lineup, partnership framework, and rollout timeline are expected ahead of the showroom inauguration.

Arogundade’s announcement follows his recent exit from CIG Motors.

While the company’s Chairman, Diana Chen, had announced the termination of his appointment after an investigation reportedly indicated alleged financial misappropriation and abuse of office, Arogundade has maintained that he voluntarily resigned on December 2, 2025, in line with his contractual and internal corporate obligations.

Lagos Motor Fair @20: Autoparts Leaders’ Summit Returns as Global OEMs Storm Nigeria

LAGOS — Momentum is gathering for the 20th Lagos Motor Fair and 13th Africa Autoparts Expo, with organisers promising a landmark edition that will redefine West Africa’s premier automotive exhibition.

The three-day event is scheduled for March 17 to 19, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, and is expected to draw key players from across the global automotive value chain.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Chairman of the Organising Committee and Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, described the forthcoming edition as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s automotive industry.

“We have curated a truly all-inclusive event to ensure a rewarding experience for every stakeholder,” Agwu said.

“This milestone 20th edition will stand out — richer in content, broader in participation, and deliberately structured to transform the fair from a trading platform into a catalyst for industrial and economic advancement.”

Leaders’ summit takes centre stage

A major highlight of the 2026 edition is the return of the Autoparts Market Leaders’ Conference/Summit after its successful debut last year. The high-level forum is designed to promote unity among traders, importers, distributors, manufacturers and policy influencers within Nigeria’s expansive automotive components market.

Under the theme, “Transforming the Automotive Component Parts Industry in Nigeria: Leadership Strategies for Growth and Sustainability,” the summit will examine strategies for reducing import dependence through expanded local manufacturing, building a central leadership framework to enhance coordination, forging strategic alliances with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and strengthening supply chains through structured bulk procurement systems.

With Nigeria widely regarded as a dominant force in Sub-Saharan Africa’s autoparts trade, the summit is expected to deepen collaboration and provide practical solutions for long-term growth.

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Participants will engage directly with OEMs, gain insights from industry experts, and explore scalable business strategies in an increasingly competitive market.

A truly global marketplace

Beyond the conference sessions, the exhibition floor will showcase the fair’s international reach. More than 100 OEMs from Asia, Europe and the Americas have confirmed participation, presenting cutting-edge vehicles, spare parts, lubricants, diagnostic tools, workshop equipment and emerging automotive technologies tailored to African markets.

Major vehicle manufacturers, auto dealers, financial institutions, insurers and oil and gas companies are also set to participate, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a comprehensive automotive marketplace.

Organisers said visitors would have access to information on auto financing, insurance packages, leasing options and fleet management solutions — critical enablers for businesses navigating current economic realities.

Commerce meets culture

In addition to policy dialogue and business networking, the fair will feature entertainment elements, including performances by popular artistes, cultural displays, model parades and a city road show to boost visibility and public engagement.

“We are celebrating two decades of resilience, innovation and partnership,” Agwu noted. “As we mark 20 years, we are not only reflecting on our journey but positioning the fair as a strategic driver of Nigeria’s industrial aspirations.”

He added that partnerships with key industry stakeholders, including MOMAN, have been consolidated to strengthen institutional support and expand the fair’s economic impact.

Over the years, the Lagos Motor Fair and Africa Autoparts Expo have evolved into a strategic convergence point for investors, policymakers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs. The 2026 edition is poised to reinforce that legacy — blending commerce, innovation, policy engagement and entertainment into a high-impact platform.

From March 17 to 19, all roads will lead to Victoria Island as industry leaders gather for three days of networking, deal-making and forward-looking conversations aimed at steering Nigeria’s automotive sector toward a more competitive and sustainable future.

Lagos Motor Fair @20: Autoparts Leaders’ Summit Returns as Global OEMs Storm Nigeria

Mikano, Autochek Target Financing Gap in New Push for Vehicle Ownership, launch virtual showroom 

Mikano Motors has said its new partnership with Autochek Africa is aimed at delivering a more complete vehicle ownership experience by combining premium mobility with smarter financing solutions for Nigerian customers.

Speaking on the collaboration in Lagos on Friday at the launch of a Mikano Motors virtual showroom on Autochek’s platform, Joelle Haykal, Group Executive Director of Mikano Motors, described the deal as an extension of the company’s long-standing ownership philosophy.

She said, “Our focus has always been on delivering not just new vehicles, but a complete ownership experience. That includes up to six years’ warranty or up to 200,000 kilometres, nationwide aftersales support, and the confidence that comes from a 33-year legacy of trust.”

According to her, Mikano’s vehicles are specifically engineered for Nigerian roads, with durability and performance at the core of their design, ensuring customers drive with peace of mind.

She noted that the partnership with Autochek Africa would allow the company to go beyond vehicle sales by integrating premium products with flexible, structured financing options.

“This partnership allows us to combine premium mobility with smart financing solutions, giving customers greater flexibility, confidence and control over how they own a vehicle,” Haykal added.

On its part, Autochek Africa said the collaboration is focused on addressing what it described as the real barrier to vehicle ownership in Nigeria — limited access to financing.

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“The demand for vehicles in Nigeria has never been the issue; access to financing has,” said Etop Ikpe, Chief Executive Officer of Autochek Africa.

He explained that by integrating Mikano’s vehicle portfolio with Autochek’s embedded financing technology, customers will gain access to multiple banking partners, faster credit approvals and loan structures tailored to their needs.

“Our partnership with Mikano Motors is designed to close that gap. By combining Mikano’s premium vehicle portfolio with our embedded financing technology, we are unlocking access to multiple banking partners with fast approvals so that anyone can find an offer that suits them, allowing more Nigerians to own brand-new cars with confidence,” Ikpe said.

The partnership, which includes the launch of a dedicated Mikano Motors Virtual Showroom on the Autochek platform, is expected to enable customers to compare models, apply for structured automotive loans, explore flexible payment plans and complete key stages of the purchase process online.

Both companies say the deal signals a broader shift in Nigeria’s automotive landscape, where digital platforms and embedded finance are increasingly shaping how vehicles are discovered, financed and owned.

Mikano Motors is a division of Mikano International, representing globally recognised automotive brands in Nigeria, including Changan, Deepal, Maxus and others.

The division is committed to delivering quality vehicles, reliable after-sales support and innovative mobility solutions tailored to the Nigerian market.

Autochek Africa is a leading pan-African automotive technology company transforming how vehicles are bought, sold and financed across the continent.

Through its marketplace and embedded financing solutions, Autochek provides individuals and businesses with improved access to quality vehicles while powering automotive commerce at scale.

Its infrastructure combines data, technology and strategic partnerships to make vehicle ownership more transparent, affordable and accessible throughout Africa.

Mikano, Autochek Target Financing Gap in New Push for Vehicle Ownership, launch virtual showroom