WMotors takes Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, Puts SUVs to Off-Road Test

WMotors, an official distributor of Jetour vehicles in Nigeria, has taken the 2026 Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, putting eight T1, T2 and G700 SUVs through a 128km journey that combined city driving, lifestyle experiences and a demanding off-road challenge.
It stated in a statement obtained on Tuesday that it used the Expedition to project Nigeria positively to the world.

It recalled that the Pan-African lifestyle and adventure initiative, created to celebrate exploration, mobility, community and the spirit of adventure, commenced in Egypt on July 19, 2026.
It is said to involve 12 African countries, with each participating market contributing its unique experience to the continental journey.

Taking advantage of favourable weather on Sunday, August 9, Jetour WMotors said it flagged off the Lagos expedition in front of its showroom on Adeyemi Alakija Street, Victoria Island, taking participants through Lekki Market, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Freedom Park, the National Theatre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Third Mainland Bridge and the Ikorodu off-road circuit.

The highpoint was the performance-focused off-road challenge at a location near Ikorodu, where the Jetour vehicles were subjected to challenging terrains, steep slopes, bumps and uneven surfaces.

The demanding conditions provided a real-world test of the vehicles’ power, control, durability and four-wheel-drive capability, allowing participants to witness firsthand the ability of the T1, T2 and G700 to defy different terrains while maintaining the adventure and performance attributes for which the brand is known.

Managing Director of Jetour WMotors, Mr Tony Jamal, said the expedition was designed to showcase the capability, safety, luxury and adventure features of the brand while demonstrating the strength of the Nigerian automotive market.

Jamal said the carefully selected routes were intended not only to demonstrate the versatility of the Jetour vehicles but also to showcase different aspects of Lagos and project Nigeria to the rest of the world.

He said the off-road experience was particularly important because it allowed the appropriate Jetour 4×4 models to demonstrate their capabilities under demanding conditions.

“We also showcased the capacity of Jetour, with the off-road experience of the 4×4 models. They have a 2.0 (turbocharged) engine with Euro 6, that is the most advanced engine, low fuel consumption and high torque. It shows us what Jetour can do,” he said.

Beyond showcasing vehicles, Jetour WMotors said it used the expedition to demonstrate its commitment to humanity and community service.

As the convoy moved along the selected routes, the participants distributed road safety awareness materials to drivers and other stakeholders, while hydration was provided to members of the public, including motorists, by Bigi Premium Drinking Water, it added.

Earlier, participants had taken part in a high-energy fitness and mobility warm-up session inside the Jetour showroom, conducted by professional trainers from I-Fitness, while Frootaz took care of refreshments.

Giving more insight into the event, Jamal explained that the expedition also provided an opportunity to demonstrate to Jetour manufacturers in China that Nigeria is a significant market for the brand.

“Jetour is all over Nigeria now. We have a big trust and we have to thank God that Jetour trusts us as an official distributor. The people appreciate our services and our vehicles come directly from the factory (and not made for other markets),” he said.

He disclosed that Jetour China appointed WMotors as its official distributor in Nigeria, giving the company the mandate to organise the expedition locally.

Looking ahead, Jamal said the 2027 edition would be bigger, extend beyond Africa and feature participants from China, with greater emphasis on off-road driving and the introduction of new Jetour models.

“It will be a bigger event in 2027 and it will be more than Africa. We are preparing and people will come from China, especially for the off-road experience. Next year, we will also have new models and it will be shown in Jetour WMotors showrooms.”

Peace of Mind Through Robust After-Sales 7-Year Warranty

Beyond the vehicles’ aesthetics, safety, luxury and performance, Jamal reaffirmed Jetour WMotors’ commitment to strong after-sales support, including a seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is currently the most far-reaching auto sales backup package in Nigeria’s auto market.

The firm said the expedition provided the opportunity to give customers greater peace of mind through its industry-leading seven-year warranty with unlimited mileage on all models, backed by a robust after-sales package.

TCN Injects 220MVA Into Lagos Grid, Boosts Power Supply to 134,000 Residents

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commissioned new power transformers at its Alausa and Lekki transmission substations in Lagos State, injecting a total of 220MVA into the Lagos electricity grid to boost supply and improve reliability for residents and businesses.

The projects, commissioned on Monday, involved the installation of a 1x100MVA, 132/33kV transformer at the Alausa Transmission Substation and two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers at the Lekki Transmission Substation.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremonies, TCN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects were part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen and expand Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure. At Alausa, Abdulaziz said the new 100MVA transformer replaced an existing 30MVA unit, increasing the substation’s capacity by 70MVA, from 135MVA to 205MVA. According to him, the project, executed by Shanghai Electric Ltd under a World Bank-funded initiative that commenced in January 2021, would upon energisation provide more stable and reliable electricity to at least 70,000 residents in Alausa and surrounding communities through Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC). He explained that the upgrade would not only benefit consumers in the immediate area but would also increase the volume of bulk electricity TCN could wheel to distribution load centres. “This upgrade meaningfully increases the quantum of bulk power that TCN can wheel to distribution load centres nationwide. It reinforces grid stability and ensures that more bulk power reaches the distribution companies’ load centres for onward delivery to electricity consumers,” he said.

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At Lekki, the TCN chief executive said the installation of two 60MVA transformers had doubled the substation’s capacity at the 132kV level, with an additional 120MVA transformer capacity translating to a 96MW increase in output. He said the additional capacity would enable TCN to wheel more bulk electricity to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) for distribution to consumers in Lekki and its environs. Abdulaziz noted that the development would support businesses and industries in the Lekki axis, create opportunities for economic expansion and contribute to job creation and the broader economic prosperity of Lagos State. “The newly installed 2x60MVA, 132/33kV power transformers we are commissioning today are more than just another power equipment; they are the backbone for industrial growth and more comfort for the homes of over 134,000 residents who will now enjoy more steady and reliable electricity,” he said.

The TCN boss said the two projects demonstrated the company’s commitment to developing a robust, resilient and future-ready national transmission grid. He disclosed that, apart from the newly commissioned transformers, several other transformer projects had recently been completed and energised, including the Apapa Road Transmission Substation which was upgraded from 60MVA to 180MVA on August 17, 2026. Additionally, TCN had previously boosted the Maryland Substation with a new 100MVA transformer, increasing its capacity from 90MVA to 190MVA, as part of ongoing grid expansion efforts across Lagos State. Abdulaziz also appealed to Nigerians to assist in protecting transmission infrastructure against vandalism, stressing that the network remained critical to the country’s economic development. His appeal comes amid recent reports of severe vandalism, including the collapse of five transmission towers along the Ikot Abasi-Eket line in Akwa Ibom following the removal of critical structural members. “Transmission infrastructure is the lifeline of our economy. By safeguarding it against vandalism, we enable TCN to continue to deliver on its mandate of transmitting bulk electricity more efficiently and effectively to every part of the country,” Abdulaziz said. The TCN MD expressed appreciation to the World Bank, Lagos State Government, contractors, engineers, host communities, security agencies and other stakeholders for their contributions to the projects. He also commended the Federal Government and the Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, for their support and direction in advancing transmission infrastructure across the country. Abdulaziz said TCN would continue to expand and strengthen the transmission network to ensure that increased power generation could be effectively evacuated and delivered to distribution companies for onward supply to electricity consumers.

TCN Injects 220MVA Into Lagos Grid, Boosts Power Supply to 134,000 Residents

Naira Appreciates at Official Market as Dollar Trades at N1,357.61 Today, August 17

The Nigerian naira opened the trading week on a relatively strong footing against the United States dollar, with the local currency appreciating at the official foreign exchange window while holding steady in the parallel market. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the naira trading at N1,357.61 per dollar at the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) window as of Monday, August 17, 2026. This represents a notable improvement from the previous week’s rate of N1,365.69 per dollar, reflecting sustained gains in the official market. In the parallel market, also known as the black market, the dollar continued to command approximately N1,420, leaving a gap of roughly N62.39 between the two exchange rate windows. The exchange rate differential highlights the persistent segmentation between Nigeria’s official and unofficial foreign exchange channels, though market observers note the spread remains relatively contained compared to periods of severe volatility experienced in previous years.

The naira’s upward trajectory at the official window has been attributed to improved foreign exchange liquidity and supply conditions in the official market. Market analysts point to the CBN’s ongoing monetary policy interventions and enhanced dollar liquidity injections as key drivers of the currency’s stability. The latest official rate, which represents an appreciation of approximately 59 basis points, underscores the effectiveness of the CBN’s recent policy measures aimed at deepening liquidity and strengthening monetary policy transmission. According to Proshare, the naira had appreciated by 59 basis points at the official market to N1,357.61/$,whiletheparallel-marketrateremainedatN1,420/$.

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The naira’s recent performance comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s external reserves reaching their highest level in 17 years. According to the CBN, the country’s foreign reserves rose to $52.25 billion as of mid-August 2026. This represents a significant 28.32 percent increase from the $40.72 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. The sustained accretion in reserves has provided the CBN with greater firepower to support the naira and meet the country’s external obligations. The rise in reserves, combined with improved conditions in the foreign exchange market, has contributed to the relative stability observed across both official and parallel market segments.

As trading progressed on Monday morning, a live USD/NGN rate source quoted the dollar at approximately N1,358.30, while other market data placed the currency around the N1,358 level. These real-time figures align with the broader trend of relative currency stability that has characterized the Nigerian foreign exchange market in recent weeks. Currency conversion platforms also reflect the prevailing market sentiment, with the midpoint market rate hovering around the N1,392 level on some international exchange platforms. However, market participants typically reference the NFEM and parallel market rates for actual trading purposes.

For Nigerians and businesses buying or selling dollars outside the official market, the parallel market rate remains higher than the NFEM rate. The rate differential reflects the continued segmentation between the two foreign exchange channels and the persistent demand pressures that characterize the unofficial market. However, the spread has narrowed significantly compared to periods of severe market dislocation, offering some relief to economic agents who rely on the parallel market for their foreign exchange needs. The relatively contained premium also suggests growing confidence in the CBN’s ability to manage exchange rate pressures through its various policy interventions.

As trading continues on Monday, August 17, the official NFEM rate and parallel-market quotations remain subject to change depending on dollar supply dynamics, demand from importers and other foreign exchange users, CBN interventions, and broader global currency movements. Market participants are advised to monitor official CBN channels for the most accurate and up-to-date exchange rates, as rates can vary between different vendors and market segments. The CBN continues to emphasize that the NFEM rate represents the official exchange rate for government transactions and regulatory purposes.

Naira Appreciates at Official Market as Dollar Trades at N1,357.61 Today, August 17