Expectations High as 2025 NAJA Awards Hold Tuesday December 16 in Lagos

All is set for the 2025 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards, scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

Widely regarded within the motoring community as the “Oscars” of Nigeria’s automotive industry, the annual ceremony will bring together leading auto brands, regulators, distributors, innovators and mobility stakeholders for an evening of recognition and industry reflection.

Three finalists shortlisted for the 2025 Car-of-the-Year award are Changan CS55, Jetour Dashing, and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, all Chinese products, signaling a strong rise for the Chinese brands in the country.

Speaking ahead of the event, Chairman of the NAJA Awards Organising Committee, Frank Kintum, described the 2025 edition as “a defining moment for Nigeria’s auto industry,” noting that competition this year is among the strongest in recent times.

“The industry has seen notable shifts over the past year—from the growth of electric mobility to new product launches and deeper investment in after-sales service. This year’s awards will reflect those milestones and honour the individuals and organisations driving the change,” Kintum said in a statement.

He stressed that beyond celebrating winners, the awards provide a platform for engagement, idea exchange and spotlighting innovations shaping mobility in Nigeria.

High-profile dignitaries expected at the event include the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, and the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin.

Organisers say their presence underscores the event’s growing relevance to national road safety, automotive policy and the future of local vehicle manufacturing.

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• Expectations High as 2025 NAJA Awards Hold Tuesday December 16 in Lagos

“The participation of FRSC and NADDC leadership reinforces our shared commitment to safer roads, stronger regulation and the growth of Nigeria’s domestic auto industry,” Kintum added.

Senior executives from major automotive and mobility companies have also confirmed attendance. They include Toyota Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, Weststar Associates (Mercedes-Benz), Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Carloha Nigeria, Briscoe Motors, Jet Systems, SAGLEV Electric Vehicles, Stallion Group, Industrial Project International (IPI), Dangote Sinotruk West Africa, Jetour Auto, GUO Motors, CEDRIC and JeGo Electric Mobility, among others.

This year’s awards will recognise excellence across key performance areas such as innovation, customer service, vehicle safety, sustainable mobility, commercial vehicle leadership, after-sales service and local manufacturing.

Electric vehicle manufacturers and mobility technology startups—among the fastest-growing segments of the industry—are also expected to feature prominently as Nigeria gradually shifts toward cleaner, technology-driven transport solutions.

According to Kintum, the fierce competition among brands reflects an auto market increasingly shaped by new mobility technologies, expanding local assembly and rising customer expectations.

NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara noted that the awards had become an important benchmark for industry performance.

“The NAJA Awards continue to spotlight best practices and raise standards across the sector, pushing brands to improve on safety, service delivery, technology and customer satisfaction,” he said.

As stakeholders converge on Lagos, the 2025 NAJA Awards are expected to go beyond honours and trophies—serving as a key platform for networking, policy dialogue and partnerships that could help shape the future of Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.

Auto journalists, policymakers, brand executives and mobility entrepreneurs are expected at the ceremony, reinforcing its status as the country’s most prestigious annual gathering for the automotive industry.

Expectations High as 2025 NAJA Awards Hold Tuesday December 16 in Lagos

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