Toyota Nigeria set to hold 2nd exclusive Toyota Motor Show in Lekki

There are high expectations as Toyota Motor Show second edition is set to hold in Lagos, between May 27th and June 1st, 2025.
The five-day exclusive programme, (excluding Friday 30th May), specially put together by Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, will take place between 11am and late evening, inside The Podium, located at 124 Tunde Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.

A statement issued by Toyota (Nigeria) Limited said the exclusive Toyota Motor Show would provide an enabling environment for customers and prospects alike, to interact closely with the vehicles, among other benefits lined up at the show.
Old and new customers and prospects who visit the show stand to enjoy discounts offered at the show ground and deals sealed there, according to the auto statement.

The discount cuts across vehicle purchase, after-sales services and packages, parts, body and paint work and products while visitors stand a chance of seeing the process of buffing and polishing a vehicle with the Before and After effect, it stated.
“The international standard show also offers FREE vehicle diagnostics to all Toyota vehicles without exception plus visitors can test drive Toyota vehicles on the Show ground.

“It is a bumper Show that promises to be fun for all.
A wide range of wonders on wheels from the commercial and passenger segments will be on display and also dedicated booths for parts, after-sales service, body & paints, and our sales team would be on ground to interact with visitors”, the statement read.
The show ground is closed on Friday 30th May, 2025 only, and would resume on Saturday 31st May, through 1st June 2025,” TNL stated.
Last year, the vehicle display was held inside the well air-conditioned pavilion, with ample space for display of each of vehicles. It attracted a lot of quality customers from the private and public sectors.
Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, spoke on the idea behind the solo auto show, saying, “The Toyota Motor Show is a purpose-planned show with the main objective of creating a befitting and conducive environment for our teeming customers to be able to interact with our vehicles and relevant staff.

“We are happy to offer them discounts and special packages on our products, after-sales packages and deals sealed at the Show, in appreciation of their visit.

“I am pleased to add that there is an opportunity for visitors to test drive our vehicles, which we will make available at the Show grounds.

“And as a gesture of inclusivity, all Toyota vehicles, purchased from us or not, could be brought to us for a free diagnosis to determine its state of reliability.”

The Toyota MD also assured all visitors of an exciting and fulfilling time at the show.

FG’s Nigeria-First policy excites NADDC, automakers

Key stakeholders in the Nigerian automotive industry including Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, and indigenous auto assemblers have applauded the ‘Nigeria First’ policy announced last week by the Federal Government as an initiative that will drive patronage for the auto manufacturing plants in the country.

The NADDC DG is particularly excited about the development. He expressed optimism that the policy initiated by President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government would impact positively on the operations of the local auto plants and on the rest of the industry.

His view was also supported by the Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma, CON, who said the new policy was one of the best decisions by the Tinubu administration so far.

Managing Director of Dana Motors, Jacky Hathiramani, described the policy as vision for a prosperous Nigeria.

Announced on Monday, May 5, 2025, the Renewed Hope Nigeria First policy mandates all federal ministries, departments and agencies to give absolute priority to Nigerian goods, services and know‑how when spending public funds.

Reacting to the news in an interview, Osanipin said, “Yes, we are happy, especially in the auto sector. This is the kind of strategic and high-powered decision that will help to improve the patronage of locally assembled vehicles.

“Coming from Mr President, nothing beats this in terms of supporting local manufacturers. So, we at the NADDC, we have seen it, and we are happy.”

He said that following the announcement, the NADDC had updated its list of auto manufacturers in the country which contains their brands, products and other details.

The Council’s report which has always been with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) – the Federal Government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing public procurement processes – would soon be submitted to the appropriate government quarters.

The BPP is saddled with very important roles in the implementation of the ‘Nigeria First’ Initiative.

“The report on the auto plants and their products) being with the BPP is important, so that whoever is interested to work with the bureau will know the locally assembled vehicles that are available.

“The report with BPP, shows the auto brands that are available in Nigeria. It clearly shows that Company A has so so brand and vehicles; they have this pick-up, they have this and that vehicles.”

The ‘Nigeria First’ policy empowers the BPP to ensure that all (100 percent) government procurements are made in Nigeria, but could approve patronage of imported products where there are no local alternatives.

The DG said the Council was eagerly looking forward to the commencement of implementation, saying, “The BPP is expected to issue a guideline on the implementation, and we at the NADDC are eagerly waiting for the guideline.

“President Tinubu has done his own, which is paving the way for all us, Osanipin remarked. “It is now left for us to come up with how it is going to be operational. We are very happy that the whole country is aware and Nigerians are ready for this. We will push it and let Nigerians know the types of vehicles available.”

Also reacting, the Chairman of Innoson Vehicles applauded President Tinubu for being thoughtful enough to introduce the policy which he believes would generate a lot of patronage for serious manufacturers of vehicles in Nigeria, thereby helping them to increase their production.

“Nigerians should be grateful to President Tinubu for the ‘Nigeria First’ initiative. If it is fully implemented, it will help manufacturers in Nigeria, especially we in the auto sector. My concern is full implementation,” he said.

Chief Chukwuma said the auto plants in Nigeria are capable of meeting all the demands of the MDAs, arguing that there is hardly any kind of vehicle they need that cannot be manufactured in Nigeria.

He cited the example of his IVM plant in Nnewi which manufactures a wide range of passenger and commercial vehicles with high level of local content, including cars, SUVs, pick-ups, buses of various capacities, and fire trucks, which are offered in petrol/diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) options.

“So, they don’t have any reason to patronise imported vehicles. Even if it is CNG they want, we are ready. We started manufacturing CNG buses two years before the government made it a policy. So, we are the leader in that technology.”

Chukwuma said a multi-billion naira new IVM plant manufacturing only CNG and electric vehicles would soon come on stream in Nnewi.

To the Managing Director of Dana Motors Limited, Jacky Hathiramani, the policy is a vision for a prosperous Nigeria through economic stability, social development, and the promotion of local industries.

Hathiramani said, “The policy being approved would foster so much more for the country.

“It will be more promising for automobiles, especially in areas like local assembly, supply chain development, and potential incentives for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and conversion centres.”

Dana Motors’ auto plant located in the Isolo area of Lagos assembles a wide range of eco-friendly vehicles, including passenger cars and CNG-powered buses of various capacities.

As the sole representative of the Kia brand in Nigeria, Dana Motors also provides in the local market multi award-winning electric cars, including EV3, EV5, and EV9.

Nord presents new A9 SUV to Chess star, Tunde Onakoya

Nord Automobile, fast-growing indigenous auto assembler, has gifted a brand new Nord SUV to the renowned Chess player and Guinness World Record holder, Tunde Onakoya, to extend his brand ambassador deal for the company.

The chess star last year received a Nord A7 SUV courtesy of the Chairman/CEO of Nord Automobiles, Mr. Tobi Ajayi.

Tunde Onakoya is known for breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, playing for an astonishing 64 hours.

He is also the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, a charity that uses chess to educate children in underserved communities.

Making the presentation in the company’s showroom located at Lekki area of Lagos state, Nord’s Chairman/CEO, Tobi Ajayi, said Nord decided to identify with Tunde Onakoya because he aligns with the culture and vision of the company.

He said, “We sell intelligent and smart vehicles as well as identify with the Nigerian people, and these we have seen in Tunde Onakoya. He is very smart and intelligent and has traveled to all parts of Nigeria to find talents”.

Recalling the history of the purely Nigerian company he founded only a few years ago, the Nord boss stated, “We started Nord to show Nigerians that they can buy brand new cars without breaking the bank”.

Responding, the world acclaimed chess player, who referred to the Chairman-CEO of Nord as the Elon Musk of Africa, said his experience with the Nord A7, was very refreshing and rewarding.

He stated that the successes recorded by Nord automobiles within a few years of establishment by Tobi Ajayi, has shown that “it is possible to do great things with small things”.

He said , “It has been a very wonderful experience, particularly because it is an indigenous Nigerian brand, it is high time we change the narrative about local talents and their capabilities”.

Onakoya also relived his experience driving the Nord A7, saying “the first thing is that when people see me drive the car, they are curious about the brand, the logo itself is very distinct. The car announces my arrival in many places, it is very strong to withstand the different Nigeria roads”.

He added that “I am also impressed about the quality of the design, it has very bold presence, Nord is a brand that Nigerians should be proud of”.

He said received prompt and customer-friendly after-sales services from Nord throughout the time he drove the Nord A7, and looks forward to same treatment with his newly acquired Nord A9.