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Law to enforce made-in-Nigeria vehicles among MDAs coming – Senate

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Law to enforce made-in-Nigeria vehicles among MDAs coming – Senate

 

The Senate has taken steps to enforce a presidential order mandating the purchase of nigeria-assembled vehicles in all government establishments.
Already, the upper chamber has passed for second a bill seeking to compel ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to prioritise the purchase of Nigeria-made vehicles

The legislation, titled ‘Local Automotive Industry Patronage Bill, 2025’, is sponsored by Patrick Ndubueze, senator representing Imo North.

Ndubueze introduced the bill in October 2024 and passed its first reading.

The senator who spoke at the plenary on Thursday said Nigeria’s overdependence on imported automobiles had continued to weaken the naira and damage local industries.

“Any country that aims to achieve steady economic growth and development must have a policy that encourages and provides a framework for local production,” he said.

“It is also important that goods and services are produced locally, as its ripple effect is a reduction in imports and a rise in exports (balance of trade).”

Ndubueze said 54 automobile manufacturing licences had been issued in Nigeria, noting that only six companies remained operational due to forex shortages and poor infrastructure.

He also said many automobile firms had moved to Ghana, where they are now setting up plants to produce vehicles for the Nigerian market.

“How do we stem the free fall of the naira if we cannot address our appetite for foreign goods?” he asked.

“How do we support the development of indigenous brands if the biggest spender, year on year — the government — refuses to buy made-in-Nigeria goods?”

He proposed that at least 75 percent of vehicles procured by public officers and civil servants be locally manufactured, not merely assembled.

“This is the first step to saving our economy, protecting our currency, and creating jobs for our people,” he said.

He said only firms with at least 70 percent Nigerian workforce, 75 percent local research and development (R&D) spend, and technology such as robotic painting machines and electrophoresis systems should qualify as local manufacturers.

“Government support for local industry should be seen as both strategically important, a long-term investment, and a national security imperative,” he said.

He cited China, India, and Malaysia as examples of countries that banned imported cars in their early years to grow domestic industries.

“Today, these countries have perfected their local processes, and we are now importing their products, some of which cannot compete with our locally manufactured vehicles,” he said.

Mohammed Monguno, senate chief whip and senator representing Borno central, said the bill would give legal backing to an existing directive by the federal executive council (FEC) on the use of local products.

“This law will insulate the directive from the whims and caprices of subsequent administrations who may want to reverse it,” he said.

Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president and the presiding officer, said the bill would “provide jobs for automobile engineers in the country and encourage more investors to move into the sector.”

The deputy senate president said the bill will “strengthen our economy and the naira and galvanise the automobile industry.

“We hope the process to get it assented to by the President will be expeditious,” Barau added.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Public Procurement for further legislative scrutiny, with a report expected within four weeks.

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Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT  

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Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT 

Jetour Nigeria is taking its seven-seater X70 Plus SUV to Abuja as rising interest from motorists in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states fuels the brand’s latest push to deepen its presence across Nigeria.

The X70 Plus will headline the Jetour Experience Abuja, holding from September 22 to 24 at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, following the strong response recorded during the Lagos edition, where motorists turned out for test drives and made enquiries about Jetour models.

The Abuja activation is designed to give prospective buyers direct access to the X70 Plus and other models, with opportunities to test-drive the vehicles, engage product specialists and experience their technology, safety and comfort features.

The X70 Plus is positioned as a family-oriented SUV, offering seven-seat capacity and a range of features targeted at customers seeking comfort, technology and practicality.

The SUV is available with 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged engine options, with outputs of up to 145kW and 290Nm of torque, paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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Its safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, Hill-Descent Control and a 360-degree panoramic camera with 2D and 3D viewing modes. Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems are also available.

Inside the cabin, the X70 Plus features a 10.23-inch LCD touchscreen, dual-zone climate control with air purification, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof and an eight-speaker audio system.

Jetour Nigeria, the authorised distributor of the brand in the country, currently operates through seven accredited dealers: Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Tab Autos Limited and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.

The company said the dealer network supports vehicle sales, genuine spare-parts supply and after-sales services across the country.

Jetour has also received recent industry recognition in Nigeria, including Fastest Growing Auto Brand by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association and Auto Brand of the Year at the Nigeria Transport Lecture and Awards.

The Abuja experience is expected to provide prospective customers in the FCT and surrounding states with direct access to the X70 Plus and other Jetour models as the brand continues its national market expansion.

 

Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT

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Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday 

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Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday 

Jetour is taking its premium pickup game to Abuja as the automaker prepares to showcase the powerful F700 hybrid pickup at the Jetour Experience Abuja, bringing a blend of electrified performance, luxury and rugged off-road capability to the Federal Capital Territory.

The three-day event, scheduled for September 22 to 24 at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, comes on the heels of strong reception in Lagos and is expected to draw commercial fleet operators, corporate buyers and luxury pickup enthusiasts keen to experience Jetour’s latest hybrid workhorse.

Following high-impact reception in Lagos, the Abuja activation, which holds at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, answers massive demand from commercial fleet leaders, corporate buyers, and luxury truck enthusiasts eager for an electrified workhorse built without compromise.

Jetour’s rapid ascendancy as Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Auto Brand and Auto Brand of the Year is backed by nationwide after-sales infrastructure, certified technicians, and genuine parts availability through its authorized dealer network including Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe and
Tab Autos.

The Ultimate Hybrid Powerhouse
Engineered on the heavy-duty platform of Jetour’s G700 luxury SUV, the double-cab F700 redefines utility.

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Stretching nearly 5.5 meters, it commands road presence via a high-tensile ladder-frame chassis and independent double-wishbone suspension engineered for punishing industrial demands and refined highway cruising alike.

Under the hood lies the revolutionary Kunpeng Super Hybrid CDM-O powertrain—pairing dual high-output electric drive motors with an onboard turbo petrol generator that seamlessly feeds the battery pack on the fly, eliminating range anxiety entirely.

According to Jetour, an advanced CATL 800V architecture surges the battery from 20% to 80% in just 10 minutes, achieving ultra-fast charging.

The vehicle delivers a monumental combined cruising range of up to 1,300 km on a single charge and tank, and achieves exceptional fuel economy, sipping as low as 1.39 L/100 km.

Conquering Terrain in First-Class Luxury
Engineered for unforgiving terrain, the F700 deploys Jetour’s intelligent XWD all-wheel-drive system governed by front, center, and rear mechanical differential locks.

With 9.5 inches of ground clearance and an imposing 900 mm water-wading capability, the F700 glides through deep water crossings, unpaved construction corridors, and rocky trails effortlessly.

Inside, the cabin abandons utilitarian compromises for bespoke executive refinement, featuring
35.4-inch Panoramic “Sky Screen” dominating the dash architecture.

Also, it features the 15.6-inch Central Command Touchscreen for seamless telematics and vehicle dynamics, Sculpted Luxury Finishes combining aviation-grade acoustic insulation, premium materials, and active driver-assist safety suites.

The three-day Jetour Experience Abuja will feature live technical walkarounds, rugged dynamic tests, and hands-on driving trials at the capital.

 

Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday

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26th Abuja Motor Fair: NADDC, BKG Set November 10 Date for Auto Industry Show

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26th Abuja Motor Fair: NADDC, BGK Set November 10 Date for Auto Industry Showcase

The National Automotive Design and Development Council and BKG Exhibitions Ltd have unveiled plans for the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair, scheduled to hold from November 10 to 13, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.

The four-day event is expected to bring together major players across the automotive value chain, such as vehicle manufacturers and assemblers, component producers, financial institutions, technology firms, transport operators, logistics companies, development partners, investors and government agencies.

A three-day conference will also feature prominently at the fair, with the theme, “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Transformation: Policy, Production, and Prosperity.”

A statement on Friday by BKG Exhibitions said the conference would examine key issues shaping the development of Nigeria’s automotive industry, with speakers drawn from various sectors of the industry and related fields.

Chairman of the Organising Committee and Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions, Mr Ifeanyi Agwu, said the conference would feature a keynote address by the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Joseph Osanipin, alongside presentations and speeches by leading stakeholders in the automotive and transport sectors.

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According to him, the fair will provide participants with opportunities to engage industry leaders, investors, government officials and business executives while exploring emerging vehicles, technologies, products and investment opportunities.

Other highlights of the event are the Nigeria Automotive Excellence Awards Night, Abuja Automotive Road Show, Ultimate Test-Drive experience, exotic automobile displays and the Automotive and Future Mobility Arena.

Visitors will also have access to professional advice, technical papers and a showcase of some of Abuja’s finest cuisine.

The Abuja International Motor Fair has, over the years, evolved into one of Nigeria’s major automotive exhibitions and platforms for industry and policy dialogue.

The organisers said this year’s edition would further strengthen the platform’s role in promoting investment, innovation, local production and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s automotive sector.

 

26th Abuja Motor Fair: NADDC, BGK Set November 10 Date for Auto Industry Showcase

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