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FG’s Nigeria-First policy excites NADDC, automakers
FG’s Nigeria-First policy excites NADDC, automakers
Key stakeholders in the Nigerian automotive industry including Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, and indigenous auto assemblers have applauded the ‘Nigeria First’ policy announced last week by the Federal Government as an initiative that will drive patronage for the auto manufacturing plants in the country.
The NADDC DG is particularly excited about the development. He expressed optimism that the policy initiated by President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government would impact positively on the operations of the local auto plants and on the rest of the industry.
His view was also supported by the Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma, CON, who said the new policy was one of the best decisions by the Tinubu administration so far.
Managing Director of Dana Motors, Jacky Hathiramani, described the policy as vision for a prosperous Nigeria.
Announced on Monday, May 5, 2025, the Renewed Hope Nigeria First policy mandates all federal ministries, departments and agencies to give absolute priority to Nigerian goods, services and know‑how when spending public funds.
Reacting to the news in an interview, Osanipin said, “Yes, we are happy, especially in the auto sector. This is the kind of strategic and high-powered decision that will help to improve the patronage of locally assembled vehicles.
“Coming from Mr President, nothing beats this in terms of supporting local manufacturers. So, we at the NADDC, we have seen it, and we are happy.”
He said that following the announcement, the NADDC had updated its list of auto manufacturers in the country which contains their brands, products and other details.
The Council’s report which has always been with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) – the Federal Government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing public procurement processes – would soon be submitted to the appropriate government quarters.
The BPP is saddled with very important roles in the implementation of the ‘Nigeria First’ Initiative.
“The report on the auto plants and their products) being with the BPP is important, so that whoever is interested to work with the bureau will know the locally assembled vehicles that are available.
“The report with BPP, shows the auto brands that are available in Nigeria. It clearly shows that Company A has so so brand and vehicles; they have this pick-up, they have this and that vehicles.”
The ‘Nigeria First’ policy empowers the BPP to ensure that all (100 percent) government procurements are made in Nigeria, but could approve patronage of imported products where there are no local alternatives.
The DG said the Council was eagerly looking forward to the commencement of implementation, saying, “The BPP is expected to issue a guideline on the implementation, and we at the NADDC are eagerly waiting for the guideline.
“President Tinubu has done his own, which is paving the way for all us, Osanipin remarked. “It is now left for us to come up with how it is going to be operational. We are very happy that the whole country is aware and Nigerians are ready for this. We will push it and let Nigerians know the types of vehicles available.”
Also reacting, the Chairman of Innoson Vehicles applauded President Tinubu for being thoughtful enough to introduce the policy which he believes would generate a lot of patronage for serious manufacturers of vehicles in Nigeria, thereby helping them to increase their production.
“Nigerians should be grateful to President Tinubu for the ‘Nigeria First’ initiative. If it is fully implemented, it will help manufacturers in Nigeria, especially we in the auto sector. My concern is full implementation,” he said.
Chief Chukwuma said the auto plants in Nigeria are capable of meeting all the demands of the MDAs, arguing that there is hardly any kind of vehicle they need that cannot be manufactured in Nigeria.
He cited the example of his IVM plant in Nnewi which manufactures a wide range of passenger and commercial vehicles with high level of local content, including cars, SUVs, pick-ups, buses of various capacities, and fire trucks, which are offered in petrol/diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) options.
“So, they don’t have any reason to patronise imported vehicles. Even if it is CNG they want, we are ready. We started manufacturing CNG buses two years before the government made it a policy. So, we are the leader in that technology.”
Chukwuma said a multi-billion naira new IVM plant manufacturing only CNG and electric vehicles would soon come on stream in Nnewi.
To the Managing Director of Dana Motors Limited, Jacky Hathiramani, the policy is a vision for a prosperous Nigeria through economic stability, social development, and the promotion of local industries.
Hathiramani said, “The policy being approved would foster so much more for the country.
“It will be more promising for automobiles, especially in areas like local assembly, supply chain development, and potential incentives for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and conversion centres.”
Dana Motors’ auto plant located in the Isolo area of Lagos assembles a wide range of eco-friendly vehicles, including passenger cars and CNG-powered buses of various capacities.
As the sole representative of the Kia brand in Nigeria, Dana Motors also provides in the local market multi award-winning electric cars, including EV3, EV5, and EV9.
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Auto
WMotors takes Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, Puts SUVs to Off-Road Test
WMotors takes Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, Puts SUVs to Off-Road Test
WMotors, an official distributor of Jetour vehicles in Nigeria, has taken the 2026 Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, putting eight T1, T2 and G700 SUVs through a 128km journey that combined city driving, lifestyle experiences and a demanding off-road challenge.
It stated in a statement obtained on Tuesday that it used the Expedition to project Nigeria positively to the world.
It recalled that the Pan-African lifestyle and adventure initiative, created to celebrate exploration, mobility, community and the spirit of adventure, commenced in Egypt on July 19, 2026.
It is said to involve 12 African countries, with each participating market contributing its unique experience to the continental journey.
Taking advantage of favourable weather on Sunday, August 9, Jetour WMotors said it flagged off the Lagos expedition in front of its showroom on Adeyemi Alakija Street, Victoria Island, taking participants through Lekki Market, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Freedom Park, the National Theatre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Third Mainland Bridge and the Ikorodu off-road circuit.
The highpoint was the performance-focused off-road challenge at a location near Ikorodu, where the Jetour vehicles were subjected to challenging terrains, steep slopes, bumps and uneven surfaces.
The demanding conditions provided a real-world test of the vehicles’ power, control, durability and four-wheel-drive capability, allowing participants to witness firsthand the ability of the T1, T2 and G700 to defy different terrains while maintaining the adventure and performance attributes for which the brand is known.
Managing Director of Jetour WMotors, Mr Tony Jamal, said the expedition was designed to showcase the capability, safety, luxury and adventure features of the brand while demonstrating the strength of the Nigerian automotive market.
Jamal said the carefully selected routes were intended not only to demonstrate the versatility of the Jetour vehicles but also to showcase different aspects of Lagos and project Nigeria to the rest of the world.
He said the off-road experience was particularly important because it allowed the appropriate Jetour 4×4 models to demonstrate their capabilities under demanding conditions.
“We also showcased the capacity of Jetour, with the off-road experience of the 4×4 models. They have a 2.0 (turbocharged) engine with Euro 6, that is the most advanced engine, low fuel consumption and high torque. It shows us what Jetour can do,” he said.
Beyond showcasing vehicles, Jetour WMotors said it used the expedition to demonstrate its commitment to humanity and community service.

As the convoy moved along the selected routes, the participants distributed road safety awareness materials to drivers and other stakeholders, while hydration was provided to members of the public, including motorists, by Bigi Premium Drinking Water, it added.
Earlier, participants had taken part in a high-energy fitness and mobility warm-up session inside the Jetour showroom, conducted by professional trainers from I-Fitness, while Frootaz took care of refreshments.
Giving more insight into the event, Jamal explained that the expedition also provided an opportunity to demonstrate to Jetour manufacturers in China that Nigeria is a significant market for the brand.
“Jetour is all over Nigeria now. We have a big trust and we have to thank God that Jetour trusts us as an official distributor. The people appreciate our services and our vehicles come directly from the factory (and not made for other markets),” he said.
He disclosed that Jetour China appointed WMotors as its official distributor in Nigeria, giving the company the mandate to organise the expedition locally.
Looking ahead, Jamal said the 2027 edition would be bigger, extend beyond Africa and feature participants from China, with greater emphasis on off-road driving and the introduction of new Jetour models.
“It will be a bigger event in 2027 and it will be more than Africa. We are preparing and people will come from China, especially for the off-road experience. Next year, we will also have new models and it will be shown in Jetour WMotors showrooms.”
Peace of Mind Through Robust After-Sales 7-Year Warranty
Beyond the vehicles’ aesthetics, safety, luxury and performance, Jamal reaffirmed Jetour WMotors’ commitment to strong after-sales support, including a seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is currently the most far-reaching auto sales backup package in Nigeria’s auto market.
The firm said the expedition provided the opportunity to give customers greater peace of mind through its industry-leading seven-year warranty with unlimited mileage on all models, backed by a robust after-sales package.

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Auto
Omoda, Jaecoo Shake Global Auto Market, Hit One Million Sales in Three Years
Omoda, Jaecoo Shake Global Auto Market, Hit One Million Sales in Three Years
Chinese automotive brands Omoda and Jaecoo are rapidly reshaping the global automobile industry, posting remarkable sales growth and displacing long-established competitors in key markets barely three years after their debut.
Owned by Chinese auto giant Chery, the sister brands have emerged as two of the world’s fastest-growing vehicle marques, recording more than one million cumulative sales across 64 countries by April 2026 while making significant inroads into mature markets traditionally dominated by legacy manufacturers.
Their most striking success has come in the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s most competitive and brand-conscious automotive markets. After entering the UK in 2024, the brands recorded 48,087 new vehicle registrations in 2025, accounting for 2.38 per cent of the market.
The performance placed Omoda and Jaecoo ahead of several long-established manufacturers that have spent decades building customer loyalty in the country.
Driving much of the momentum is the Jaecoo 7 SUV, which finished 2025 as the UK’s fourth most popular retail vehicle before going on to become the country’s best-selling new car in March 2026. It has also ranked as the UK’s third best-selling new car so far in 2026.
Within just 19 months of launching in Britain, the two brands had surpassed 80,000 cumulative vehicle sales, underlining their rapid acceptance among consumers.
Their success extends well beyond the UK.
In Europe, Omoda and Jaecoo sold more than 340,000 vehicles in less than two years by June 2026, earning recognition from industry observers as the continent’s fastest-growing automotive brands.
Australia has witnessed a similar trend. Barely a year after their launch in May 2025, the brands crossed the 10,000-unit sales mark, while the Jaecoo J5 emerged as the country’s best-selling small electric SUV in May 2026.
The brands have also recorded notable achievements in Asia and South America. In Thailand, the Jaecoo J5 topped the country’s electric vehicle sales rankings for six consecutive months, while in Brazil, the Jaecoo 7 Hybrid was named the country’s “Hybrid of the Year.”
Industry analysts attribute the brands’ rapid rise to a combination of striking design, advanced technology, generous standard features and competitive pricing that offers consumers strong value compared with many established rivals.
Safety credentials have also strengthened consumer confidence. Both the Jaecoo 7 and the Omoda 5 have earned five-star ratings from Euro NCAP, Europe’s independent vehicle safety assessment authority, helping to reassure buyers who may be unfamiliar with the brands.
Although many traditional manufacturers still enjoy stronger heritage and decades of brand recognition, industry observers say buying decisions are increasingly being driven by value, technology, design and safety rather than brand familiarity alone.
That shift has created opportunities for newer entrants such as Omoda and Jaecoo, whose rapid global expansion suggests that the automotive landscape is undergoing a significant transformation.
For emerging markets such as Nigeria, where Chinese automobile brands are steadily gaining acceptance, the performance of Omoda and Jaecoo offers another indication of the growing influence of Chinese manufacturers in the global automotive industry.

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Auto
High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus
High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus
Rising electricity costs have forced Bayero University, Kano, to ban the charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles across its campuses.
The university said the growing practice of using its electricity supply to charge private electric vehicles had contributed significantly to a sharp increase in its power bills, creating an additional financial burden for the institution.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba.
According to the statement, the management has observed the “indiscriminate charging” of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the university’s electricity supply.
It said the development was no longer sustainable at a time when the institution was seeking to manage its resources prudently.
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“The Management of Bayero University, Kano has observed with concern the indiscriminate charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the University’s electricity supply across its campuses.
“This practice has contributed significantly to the sharp increase in the University’s electricity bills, thereby placing an enormous financial burden on the institution,” the statement said.
The university consequently directed all staff, students, commercial motorcycle operators and other users of electric motorcycles to stop charging their vehicles with the institution’s electricity.
It warned that anyone who violated the directive would face disciplinary action in accordance with the university’s rules and regulations.
“Management expects full compliance with this directive. Any person found violating this ban will be liable to appropriate disciplinary action,” the statement added.
To enforce the ban, the university directed provosts, deans, directors, heads of departments and heads of units to monitor compliance in their respective areas and report any violations to the appropriate authorities.
It also announced that a monitoring team would conduct regular patrols across the campuses to ensure strict adherence to the directive.
The institution urged all affected persons to cooperate with the measure, saying it was part of broader efforts to reduce energy costs and promote the prudent use of university resources.
High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus
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