Car of the Year, other top honours up for grabs as NAJA Awards race begins

Car of the Year, other top honours up for grabs as NAJA Awards race begins

 

Nigeria’s leading automobile brands and industry players are gearing up for a keen contest for the coveted Car of the Year title and other top honours as nominations open for the 19th Nigeria Auto Journalists Association Awards, scheduled for December 3, 2026, in Lagos.

With the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, set to host the ceremony for the first time, the competition is expected to spotlight outstanding vehicles, automotive companies, assemblers, after-sales service providers and industry personalities whose products, innovations and contributions are shaping Nigeria’s evolving automotive market.

The Car of the Year category is expected to be a major highlight as nominations begin, with competing brands seeking to outshine one another in a market increasingly influenced by vehicle technology, affordability, performance, customer experience and the growing adoption of alternative-energy mobility solutions.

The commencement of nominations marks a significant step towards the December 3, 2026 grand finale, where outstanding automobile brands, manufacturers, distributors, service providers and industry personalities will be recognised for their performance and contributions to the sector.

The Car of the Year award has become a major talking point at the annual event, providing an opportunity for competing vehicle brands to demonstrate their strengths in an increasingly competitive Nigerian automotive market.

Other categories will spotlight excellence across different segments of the industry, such as vehicle manufacturing and assembly, commercial vehicles, alternative-energy mobility, after-sales services, automotive distribution and individual contributions to sector development.

The awards are expected to attract leading automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers, financial institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders, as the industry navigates changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, alternative-energy vehicles and renewed efforts to promote local assembly.

Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was determined to deliver a ceremony worthy of the growing importance of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

Kintum described the awards as an important platform for recognising individuals, brands and organisations whose activities have contributed significantly to the development of the sector.

He said the 19th edition was being planned to be bigger and more glamorous than previous editions, while upholding the credibility and professional standards associated with the awards.

According to the organisers, products, brands and personalities will be assessed across relevant categories, with the final outcomes determined in line with the association’s approved award modalities.

NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the awards were not merely about celebrating the biggest players in the market but also recognising organisations and individuals that had demonstrated measurable excellence and made meaningful contributions to the automotive ecosystem.

He noted that the credibility of the evaluation process had helped strengthen the awards’ relevance as a reference point for industry stakeholders.

As nominations progress, competition is expected to reflect the growing diversity of Nigeria’s automotive market, where established manufacturers and distributors are facing increasing competition from emerging brands, new vehicle models and alternative-energy mobility solutions.

The outcome of the 2025 edition provides an indication of the competition that could unfold in this year’s contest.

At the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held on December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Jetour Dashing emerged as Nigeria’s Car of the Year after beating the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo to the top prize.

The award placed the compact crossover SUV in the spotlight, reflecting the growing competition among vehicle brands seeking to attract Nigerian buyers through design, technology, performance and value.

Mikano Motors also recorded a major success, winning Auto Company of the Year, while its Changan CS55 was named Midsize SUV of the Year.

Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility won Workshop of the Year, while the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hiace emerged Pick-Up of the Year and Minibus of the Year, respectively.

Other notable winners included Dangote Sinotruk as Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, Iron Products Industries Limited as Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year, Lanre Shittu Motors as Truck Plant of the Year and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing as Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.

In the alternative-energy segment, SAGLEV won EV Brand of the Year, while Jet Automobiles was recognised as CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. NORD Automobiles emerged Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.

Carloha Nigeria secured the Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year awards, while Winpart by CFAO won Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year for parts and workshop services.

The awards also recognised individual contributions, with NORD Automobiles Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatobi Ajayi, named Auto Personality of the Year in the private-sector category, while National Automotive Design and Development Council Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, received the public-sector honour.

The range of winners illustrated the breadth of the awards, which extend beyond passenger vehicles to recognise achievements in commercial transportation, local assembly, workshop services, electric mobility and automotive business development.

Industry expectations rise

The 2026 awards come at a time when the automotive industry is undergoing significant changes, with vehicle electrification, compressed natural gas adoption, local manufacturing, after-sales support and evolving government policies shaping its direction.

Against this background, the awards provide an opportunity to highlight businesses and individuals responding to these changes while delivering products and services to Nigerian consumers.

For vehicle manufacturers and distributors, winning a major category could strengthen brand visibility and market positioning, while recognition for assembly plants, service providers and transport operators would underscore the importance of the wider automotive value chain.

The organisers have urged automobile brands and other industry stakeholders to participate actively in the nomination process as preparations gather momentum for the December ceremony.

With the 2025 winners setting a competitive benchmark, attention will now turn to the brands, companies and personalities that will emerge at the 19th edition of the NAJA awards on December 3.