Seven Drivers Emerge for Tuesday Naija Driver Challenge Grand Finale in Lagos

The maiden Nigerian Drivers Challenge will reach its climax on Tuesday, November 10, with seven finalists set to compete for honours at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, in a contest aimed at promoting responsible driving, professionalism and improved road safety in Nigeria.

The grand finale, scheduled to begin at 9am, follows a nationwide response that saw 160 drivers register for the hybrid competition from 23 states of the federation.

The seven finalists emerged after preliminary assessments, including a proctored online Computer-Based Test (CBT), with participants required to attain a minimum pass mark of 60 per cent.

The final stage will feature practical driving assessments designed by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) to evaluate participants’ driving skills, vehicle control, road-use awareness and compliance with safety principles. The eventual winner will be determined through a combination of CBT performance and practical assessment scores.

Organised to raise driving standards and promote safer roads, the Nigerian Drivers Challenge seeks to draw attention to the critical role of competent, disciplined and professionally trained motorists in reducing preventable road crashes.

The event is expected to attract representatives of government agencies, road safety institutions, automotive industry stakeholders, sponsors, the media and members of the public.

Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Project Director, Adrian Egonu, said the encouraging response to the maiden edition demonstrated the need for platforms that promote responsible motoring.

“The Nigerian Drivers Challenge was conceived out of a conviction that safer roads begin with responsible, competent and professional drivers,” Egonu said.

He added that the initiative was more than a driving competition, describing it as a platform for raising road safety consciousness, improving driving standards and celebrating excellence behind the wheel.

The Project’s Head of Administration, Modupeola A. Elegba, also expressed satisfaction with the feedback from participants, particularly those who completed the training and CBT stages.

She said the positive responses, including participants’ appreciation of the knowledge gained on safe road use and the competition’s seamless online platform, had encouraged the organisers to expand the initiative in subsequent editions.

The organisers acknowledged the support of institutional partners, including LASDRI, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria.

Sponsors include Skinetics Aesthetics Skin Care Clinic and Med Spa, BUA Cement, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc and AXA Mansard Health Ltd, while supporting organisations include the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and Work and Play.

The public, stakeholders and members of the media have been invited to attend the grand finale.

Four-day Abuja International Motor Fair begins tomorrow Nov 10 

Nigeria’s automotive industry is set for a major convergence of manufacturers, investors, policymakers and technology players as the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair opens on November 10, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja, with a renewed focus on accelerating local production, investment and industry transformation.

The four-day exhibition, organised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in partnership with BKG Exhibitions Limited, will bring together stakeholders across the automotive value chain, including vehicle manufacturers and assemblers, component producers, financial institutions, technology firms, transport operators, logistics companies and government agencies.

A major highlight will be a three-day industry conference themed, “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Transformation: Policy, Production, and Prosperity.” The conference is expected to examine critical policy directions, investment opportunities, local manufacturing and emerging technologies shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive sector.

In a statement, BKG Exhibitions said the conference would feature contributions from industry leaders and experts across relevant sectors.

Chairman of the Organising Committee and Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions, Mr Ifeanyi Agwu, said NADDC Director-General, Otunba Joseph Osanipin, would deliver the keynote address, alongside presentations by leading figures in the automotive and transport industries.

Agwu said the fair would offer participants opportunities to engage policymakers, investors and business executives while exploring new vehicles, technologies, products and investment prospects.

Other attractions include the Nigeria Automotive Excellence Awards Night, Abuja Automotive Road Show, Ultimate Test-Drive experience, exotic car displays and the Automotive and Future Mobility Arena.

The annual exhibition has established itself as a major platform for automotive business networking, product promotion and policy engagement, with this year’s edition expected to further advance conversations around investment, innovation, local production and sustainable industry growth.

Uwatse Joins Ade-Ojo, Maduka in Exclusive League of Nigeria Auto Legends

In a rare recognition of industry leadership and enduring contributions to Nigeria’s automotive sector, the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has named Chief Benson Uwatse, Chairman of Weststar Associates Limited, recipient of the prestigious Nigeria Auto Legend Award at the 19th Nigeria Auto Industry Awards.

Uwatse’s emergence places him in an exclusive league of automotive icons, making him the third industry heavyweight to receive the distinction after Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, and Dr Cosmas Maduka, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coscharis Group.

The recognition celebrates Uwatse’s more than three decades of involvement in the Nigerian automotive industry, particularly his role in advancing the Mercedes-Benz brand and strengthening its presence in the country’s premium and luxury vehicle market.

The recognition underscores Uwatse’s longstanding involvement in the Nigerian automotive sector and his contributions to the development and representation of the globally renowned Mercedes-Benz brand in the country.

As Chairman of Weststar Associates Limited, the authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, Uwatse occupies a strategic position in the country’s premium and luxury automobile market.

Weststar is responsible for coordinating Mercedes-Benz’s business activities in Nigeria, covering passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trucks and buses, alongside dealer support, marketing, training, genuine spare parts supply, warranties and after-sales services.

The company officially commenced operations in February 2008, assuming responsibility for Mercedes-Benz sales and after-sales operations in Nigeria. Its distribution network and authorised dealerships provide sales and servicing support across different parts of the country.

Uwatse’s association with the Mercedes-Benz brand spans more than three decades, giving him considerable experience in the Nigerian automotive business, particularly in premium vehicle distribution, customer relations and brand development.

His involvement in the business has also included leadership responsibilities in the Mercedes-Benz dealership network, specifically as Managing Director of MB Automobile Services Limited, one of the authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Auto Legend Award is particularly significant because it recognises individuals whose contributions extend beyond routine business operations to the development, growth and advancement of the nation’s automotive industry.

Chief Ade.Ojo, the founder of Elizade Nigeria Limited and Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, was the first recipient of the special industry recognition in 2017, in acknowledgement of his decades of investment, enterprise and contributions to Nigeria’s automobile business.

Dr Maduka, who transformed Coscharis from a modest automobile trading venture into one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous conglomerates, also earned recognition for his remarkable contributions to the automotive sector. Under his leadership, Coscharis Motors secured distribution franchises for several globally recognised automobile brands, including BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and Ford.

Uwatse’s emergence as the third recipient further reinforces NAJA’s commitment to celebrating individuals whose leadership, enterprise and industry experience have contributed significantly to the evolution of Nigeria’s automotive landscape.

The 19th edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Awards, organised by NAJA, is scheduled to hold on Thursday, December 3, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The annual awards bring together automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers, policymakers, regulators, industry professionals and other stakeholders to celebrate outstanding achievements and recognise excellence across Nigeria’s automotive and transportation sectors.