NADDC, FRSC Chiefs headline high-stake 2025 NAJA Auto Awards

The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Chief Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, have confirmed their attendance at the 2025 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Their participation reinforces the rising influence of the NAJA Awards—widely regarded as the country’s most credible platform for recognising excellence, innovation, and leadership in the automotive industry.

Osanipin, a key advocate for strengthened local assembly and accelerated electric mobility adoption, is expected to interact with stakeholders and share insights on the NADDC’s long-term industry roadmap. Earlier at the Abuja International Motor Fair, he assured a NAJA delegation led by Chairman Theodore Opara that he would not only attend but actively participate in the ceremony.

FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed also confirmed his presence through a message to Opara, expressing enthusiasm about engaging industry leaders and pushing ongoing national road-safety campaigns.

This year’s event will bring together automakers, distributors, policymakers, and mobility experts at a time when Nigeria’s automotive landscape is being reshaped by new technologies, sustainability imperatives, and shifting regulatory frameworks.

Chairman of the Award Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said preparations were in top gear to sustain the event’s reputation as Nigeria’s “industry gold standard.”

“The NAJA Awards remain the benchmark for honouring brands, organisations, and individuals who consistently demonstrate innovation, integrity and excellence in advancing Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem. This edition will spotlight strides in local manufacturing, green mobility and policy development,” he said.

NAJA Chairman Opara added that the awards mirror the Federal Government’s industrialisation push.

“As the sector evolves, NAJA is committed to initiatives that promote sustainable growth,” he said. “We are especially pleased to have the NADDC as a central partner this year, given its strategic role in policy formulation and innovation.”

Meanwhile, anticipation is already mounting around the 2025 Nigeria Car-of-the-Year category, where three Chinese brands—Changan, Jetour and Chery—have emerged as unexpected frontrunners. Their shortlisted models—the Changan CS55, Jetour Dashing and Chery Tiggo 8—reflect the shifting dynamics of Nigeria’s highly competitive auto market.

“For the first time, Chinese manufacturers are not just competing; they are leading,” Opara said while unveiling the finalists. “The quality, technology and market acceptance shown by these brands demonstrate how quickly the industry is evolving.”

He noted that the committee emphasised innovation, durability, and suitability for Nigerian roads in selecting the finalists.

While the Car-of-the-Year contenders have been revealed, nominees in other categories—including local assembly, electrification, aftersales service, heavy-duty trucks, transport service and luxury mobility—will be announced in the coming days.

Kintum said the committee is “raising the bar again this year,” with the 2025 edition expected to reflect more advancements in electric vehicle rollout and expanded local assembly operations.

With top government officials, industry leaders and global automotive brands already confirmed, the 2025 NAJA Awards is shaping up to be one of the most defining editions in the event’s history.

The Federal Executive Council has part of broader industrial and automotive sector reforms, approved the purchase of 200 electric buses for the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

The approval was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

“The first memo that was considered and approved was the award of a contract for the supply of 200 units of electric buses at the cost of N58 billion for the National Automotive Design and Development Council,” Enoh said.

He explained that the project aligns with the administration’s strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem while promoting cleaner energy solutions and industrial expansion.

Nigeria industrial policy 2025 approved

Enoh described the approval of the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 as the most consequential outcome of the FEC meeting.

“The Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 was finally approved today, and it provides the framework that will guide industrial growth and development,” he said.

He noted that the absence of an updated industrial policy had previously hindered international partnerships and donor engagement.

“Many of our development partners would not even listen to us because there was no industrial policy, so this approval is extremely significant,” Enoh added.

He said the policy directly supports President Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda under the administration’s eight-point policy framework.

Lekki medical tourism park, trade fair hosting approved

On trade and investment matters, Enoh disclosed that FEC approved the construction of internal and access roads within the Lekki Medical Tourism Park in Lagos.

“The approval for the construction of internal and access roads within the Lekki Medical Tourism Park was granted,” he said.

He also confirmed that the council was formally briefed on Nigeria’s selection to host the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).

“Nigeria has officially been selected to host the Intra-African Trade Fair after a competitive bidding process,” Enoh stated.

Lagos chosen as host city

According to the minister, Lagos will host the trade fair, with the Lagos Creative and Cultural Centre (former National Arts Theatre) designated as the main venue.

He said hosting the IATF strengthens Nigeria’s strategic position within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework and complements ongoing industrialisation programmes being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

Court of Appeal Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Seizing Vehicles or Fining Motorists

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Thursday, upheld a previous Federal High Court judgment prohibiting the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) from confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on motorists without lawful authority.

A three-member panel of appellate justices, led by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, dismissed the appeal filed by the VIO, describing it as lacking merit and affirming the October 16, 2024 ruling of the high court.

The original suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, was filed by public interest lawyer Abubakar Marshal, who alleged that he was unlawfully stopped and had his vehicle confiscated by VIO officials at Jabi District, Abuja, on December 12, 2023. He contended that the action was a violation of his fundamental rights.

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Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court had declared that no law empowers the VIO to stop, seize, impound, or fine motorists, and granted a perpetual injunction restraining the agency and its agents from further violating citizens’ freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property.

The court held that only a court of competent jurisdiction can impose fines or sanctions on motorists. It further ruled that the actions of the Respondents violated Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and relevant articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Although the applicant had sought N500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded him N2.5 million. Respondents included the Director of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, the Abuja Area Commander, the team leader, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The appellate court’s decision confirms that the VIO and DRTS cannot legally harass motorists, reinforcing citizens’ constitutional rights on the road.

Court of Appeal Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Seizing Vehicles or Fining Motorists