Auto
Lanre Shittu assembly plant for trucks, pickups excites NADDC DG
Lanre Shittu assembly plant for trucks, pickups excites NADDC DG
Director General of National Automotive Design And Development Council, Mr. Joseph Osanipin, has expressed satisfaction with the state of Lanre Shittu auto assembly plant and the volume of work being carried out there.
He specifically commended the company for focusing on the assembling of commercial vehicles, especially trucks and pickups as well as the compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles.
The DG spoke after inspecting the LSM auto assembly plant in Lagos and was taken through the process of putting the JAC truck components together as well as conversion of LSM pickups to run on CNG.
Osanipin said, “I’m very impressed with what I saw here. Lanre Shittu Motors has picked where its strength is – the pickups and trucks.
“I’m also impressed about their human capital development. We have seen the training facility and capacity. We also saw the spare parts. It means they are ready to support their vehicles with sufficient parts when the need arises.
“I have seen capacity and ability to meet the demand of the market. What we have seen here, I’m not too surprised because Lanre Shittu Motors has been there over the years.”
About 95 per cent of the workers engaged at both truck and pickup sections of the plant are Nigerians.
The DG spoke on the readiness of industry for the CNG-powered vehicles, saying, “From my assessment of what the LSM is doing, it means the assemblers are ready for the CNG vehicle initiative.”
He urged Nigerians to embrace the initiative, noting that it is cost-effective.
“Again, looking at the safety measures being put in place here at LSM, it shows we are ready for CNG. The next set of conversion to be done here will be the trucks,” he said.
Managing Director of Lanre Shittu Motors, Mr. Taiwo Shittu, said the company had delivered some CNG-powered mass transit buses for airport shuttle.
He disclosed that LSM could do six units daily, adding that the firm saw the huge business in the CNG-powered vehicles shortly after the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government and went straight into it.
He said, “We know from our knowledge of automobile – this is our 43 years in the industry – that once the fuel subsidy is removed, the next option is the CNG. So we went straight into CNG vehicles.
“As we speak, we are converting our vehicles to run on CNG. We have our CNG conversion kits on the ground. We have mass transit buses already at the airports for shuttle, assembled here in Nigeria.
“Another set of CNG mass transit buses have arrived at the seaport and being cleared. This will be for commercial operation. And it will reduce operation cost by twenty-five per cent.
Shittu said LSM placed premium on after-sale support, with over N2 billion worth of spare parts in its store.
“For any vehicle or auto brand to survive in Nigeria, after-sale support is very important.
“We have been sole distributor in Nigeria for many brands including MAN and JAC. Having passed through this stage, we understand that no vehicle brand can make any headway in the country without adequate parts.
“A lot of made-in-Nigeria vehicles failed in the past because the handlers did not realise that without sufficient spare parts, they cannot survive” he said.
Auto
Changan CS55, Kia Seltos take top SUV honours at 2025 NAJA Auto Awards
Changan CS55, Kia Seltos take top SUV honours at 2025 NAJA Auto Awards
Changan CS55 and Kia Seltos have clinched top honours at the 2025 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards, winning Midsize SUV of the Year and Compact SUV of the Year, respectively.
The awards were announced at a recent well-attended ceremony held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, which brought together key stakeholders across Nigeria’s automotive value chain to celebrate excellence, resilience and innovation in the industry.
Changan CS55’s latest recognition comes after its impressive performance at last year’s 17th edition of the awards, where it was crowned Nigeria’s New Car of the Year.
At the 2025 ceremony, the compact crossover SUV edged out strong contenders such as the Kia Sonet and Chery Tiggo to secure the coveted Midsize SUV title.
Changan vehicles are marketed and assembled in Nigeria by Mikano Motors, reinforcing the growing impact of local assembly in the country’s automotive sector.
In the Compact SUV category, the Kia Seltos emerged winner, beating notable competitors such as the Toyota Prado, Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo.
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Industry analysts have described the Seltos as a compelling blend of practicality and style, praising its bold design, versatility and appeal to modern drivers.
Other corporate winners at the event are the Mikano Group, which was named Auto Company of the Year; Iron Products Industries (IPI) Limited, honoured as Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year; Lanre Shittu Motors (JAC), awarded Truck Plant of the Year; and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), which won Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.
These recognitions highlighted the depth and growing strength of indigenous participation in Nigeria’s automotive industry.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Joseph Osanipin, commended NAJA for sustaining a credible platform promoting excellence and accountability within the sector.
In his welcome address, NAJA Chairman Mr Theodore Opara described the awards as a benchmark for performance in Nigeria’s evolving automotive ecosystem, noting that the industry continues to adapt amid policy reforms, technological advancements and changing consumer expectations.
The 2025 NAJA International Auto Awards once again underscored the critical role of leading brands in strengthening Nigeria’s transportation and industrial backbone, while celebrating outstanding achievements across the nation’s automotive landscape.
Changan CS55, Kia Seltos take top SUV honours at 2025 NAJA Auto Awards
Auto
JIM-ISUZU, JéGO EV, Nord A9, New Era Win NAJA ‘New Entrants of the Year’
JIM-ISUZU, JéGO EV, Nord A9, New Era Win NAJA ‘New Entrants of the Year’
JIM-ISUZU Pick-Up, JéGO EV, Nord A9 and New Era Automobiles have been named New Entrants of the Year at the 2025 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards, underscoring the growing depth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s automotive market.
The awards were presented on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, during the 18th edition of the annual industry event.
JIM-ISUZU pickup emerged as a winner in the category, with its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Anselm Ilekuba, receiving the award on behalf of Cedric Autos Limited. Ilekuba, who also serves as National Coordinator of the Automotive Local Content Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (ALCMAN), thanked NAJA for the recognition, saying it would spur the company to deepen its commitment to quality and local industry growth.
The recognition of JéGO EV, Nord A9 and New Era Automobiles also reflects their successful entry into the Nigerian market, rising consumer acceptance and the promise they hold for the sector, particularly in the areas of innovation and alternative mobility solutions.
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Other major winners on the night included Jetour Dashing, which clinched Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year, defeating strong contenders such as Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class won Luxury Car of the Year, Range Rover Autobiography (Coscharis Motors) took Luxury SUV of the Year, while Toyota Hiace emerged Minibus of the Year.
On the corporate front, Mikano was named Auto Company of the Year, Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility won Workshop of the Year, and Dangote Sinotruk emerged Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year.
Iron Products Industries (IPI) Limited clinched Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year, while Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) was recognised as Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Joseph Osanipin, commended NAJA for sustaining a credible platform that promotes professionalism, innovation and excellence in the automotive industry.
NAJA Chairman, Mr Theodore Opara, said the awards have remained one of the sector’s most respected benchmarks, noting that the initiative continues to evolve in line with rapid changes in vehicle technology, alternative energy solutions and consumer expectations.
The 2025 NAJA International Auto Awards once again reinforced its role as a key barometer for automotive excellence in Nigeria, with the emergence of JIM-ISUZU and other new brands signalling a vibrant and increasingly competitive market.
JIM-ISUZU, JéGO EV, Nord A9, New Era Win NAJA ‘New Entrants of the Year’
Auto
ANAMMCO, Stallion, RT Briscoe Honoured as Nigeria’s Most Resilient Auto Brands
ANAMMCO, Stallion, RT Briscoe Honoured as Nigeria’s Most Resilient Auto Brands
ANAMMCO Motors and Parts Ltd, Stallion Motors and R T Briscoe have been named Most Resilient Auto Brands of the Year at the 18th Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The recognition was announced at the well-attended ceremony that celebrated excellence, innovation and long-term impact across Nigeria’s automotive value chain.
NAJA said the three companies stood out for their consistency, adaptability and sustained contributions to the growth of the auto industry.
According to the association, the Resilient Auto Company of the Year category honours firms that have demonstrated institutional strength, commitment to local content development and unwavering support for Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem, even amid economic headwinds, policy shifts and changing market dynamics.
The endorsement of ANAMMCO, Stallion Motors and R T Briscoe underscores their ability to remain operationally relevant while contributing to local vehicle assembly, skills development and industrial capacity building over several decades.
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ANAMMCO Motors and Parts Limited is a leading vehicle manufacturing company with a broad portfolio spanning commercial vehicle production, third-party assembly, refurbishment, vehicle and spare parts sales, body building, workshop services, as well as training and consultancy.
Stallion Motors Limited, the automotive arm of the Stallion Group, is a major force in Nigeria’s auto sector, combining vehicle retail, after-sales support, parts distribution and local assembly. The company is the authorised distributor for several global brands, including Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Changan, Ashok Leyland, Morris Garages (MG) and Bajaj three-wheelers.
In addition to the resilience award, Stallion’s Sonu Singh was named Marketing/Media Manager of the Year at the ceremony.
R T Briscoe, one of Nigeria’s oldest auto companies, was recognised for pioneering structured vehicle sales, professional servicing and spare-parts support in the country.
At a time when vehicle imports were largely informal, the company introduced standardised dealerships, manufacturer-backed warranties and some of the best-equipped auto workshops in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, NAJA Chairman, Mr. Theodore Opara, described the awards as a benchmark for industry performance, noting that resilience has become a defining attribute in the face of global supply chain disruptions, energy transition pressures and ongoing policy reforms.
He added that award recipients emerged through a transparent and rigorous assessment process anchored on professionalism, industry relevance and measurable impact, stressing that despite prevailing economic challenges, Nigeria’s auto industry continues to demonstrate resilience, creativity and strategic adaptation.
ANAMMCO, Stallion, RT Briscoe Honoured as Nigeria’s Most Resilient Auto Brands
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