Auto
We’re committed to Tinubu’s Pi-CNG initiative, says Cedric Masters Group

We’re committed to Tinubu’s Pi-CNG initiative, says Cedric Masters Group
Cedric Masters Group says it is committed to achieving the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards the conversion of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) considered cheaper and cleaner to run.
Amselm Ilekuba, Chairman and chief executive of the group who disclosed this also said Cedric Masters Group is lucky to be among the first promoters of the Pi-CNG initiative of President Tinubu.
He said apart from creating huge employment for Nigerians with other positive spin-off effects and businesses, he would in collaboration with his technical team transfer the CNG conversion skill acquired at the CNG Centre in Texas, Houston.
This, he pointed out, was one of the core areas that would generate massive jobs for the people.
The Cedric Masters Group boss made this commitment when he received Joseph Osanipin, director-general of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and his team during a facility tour of the upcoming local automobile assembler located along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.
The NADDC DG accompanied by Sani Musa, the director of policy and planning and other staff of the agency, on Monday this week embarked on a tour of some auto assembly plants in the South-West.
Cedric Masters Group is a conglomerate that is also into automobile and component parts.
The company manufactures component parts from its facility in the South-East while for proximity and business expansion purposes, it is setting up its assembly plant in Lagos.
Cedric Autos got the assembly licence with a clear mandate from the NADDC to start rolling out locally assembled vehicles from the plant within 18 months.
Ilekuba expressed delight over the visit by the auto assembly regulatory agency, adding that the physical construction of the plant, the cable laying were in progress.
He said, “I am happy that they have come today to see how far we have gone with the physical construction, the cable laying; the equipment and every other facility has started coming. What we are waiting for now is the installation of all the equipment by our foreign partners.”
The full set of state-of-the-art automobile assembly equipment to be installed comprises automatic assembly line, post floor plate car lift with Solemoid unlock, scissor lift, four post flour plate car lift for 4-wheel alignment, semi automatic tyre changer, wheel balancer, air conditioning handling system and screw air compressor complete set-split type.
Others are movable manual hydraulic jack, foldable shop crane, transmission jack, hand hydraulic table truck, mobile pneumatic oil filling machine, paint spray booth, rear axle distribution rack, cargo lift, component of rain test (water nozzle and booster pump) and forklift.
Meanwhile, Cedric Masters said it started its staff recruitment and training in the past months with payment in preparation for a official roll-out of the brand to Nigerians very soon.
Auto
Ade.Ojo, others excited as New Era opens first exclusive Jetour showroom in Lagos (Updated)

Ade.Ojo, others excited as New Era opens first exclusive Jetour showroom in Lagos (Updated)
New Era Autovehicle Services Limited on Wednesday, June 18, unveiled Nigeria’s first exclusive Jetour showroom in Lekki, Lagos — a landmark move set to reshape the country’s automotive landscape.
The state-of-the-art facility was launched in a high-profile ceremony attended by top industry stakeholders, including Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL); MD of TNL, Kunle Ade-Ojo, and former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi.
Chief Ade.Ojo, who officially commissioned the showroom as guest of honour, praised the Jetour brand for its rugged design and suitability for Nigeria’s challenging road and climate conditions.
He urged both individuals and organisations to consider Jetour for its durability and advanced technology.
“This initiative represents innovation, reliability, and a forward-looking vision for the auto industry,” he stated.
Delivering the keynote address, Kemi Koyejo, Managing Director of New Era Autovehicle Services, said the launch marked a transformative moment for mobility and customer experience in Nigeria.
“Today, we don’t just open a showroom; we begin a bold journey toward redefining automotive excellence in this country,” Koyejo declared.
“We are proud to introduce the first exclusive Jetour dealership — offering world-class technology, luxurious SUVs, rugged off-roaders, and cutting-edge electric vehicles to Nigerian consumers.”
She said the facility would serve as a comprehensive service hub, offering real-time access to Jetour vehicles, after-sales support, certified pre-owned cars, competitive pricing, and flexible financing options.
Highlighting the company’s green commitment, Koyejo announced an expanding lineup of hybrid and electric vehicles aimed at reducing carbon emissions and supporting a more sustainable future.
She expressed gratitude to Jetour Mobility Services Nigeria Limited for its support and acknowledged her business partner, Mr. Raf Abanum, for his consistent encouragement.
Guests at the event were given an exclusive tour of the showroom, which showcased Jetour’s full range — from luxury models to adventure-ready vehicles.
The new facility is expected to significantly boost the brand’s market presence and responsiveness to Nigeria’s growing demand for affordable, technologically advanced and durable vehicles.
With this launch, Jetour joins a growing list of global automotive brands expanding in Nigeria, responding to rising consumer appetite for performance, innovation and value in the auto sector.
Auto
FRSC, NADDC, NRC, others to discuss sustainable transportation at 11th Nigeria Transport Lecture Thursday

FRSC, NADDC, NRC, others to discuss sustainable transportation at 11th Nigeria Transport Lecture Thursday
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigerian Shippers’ Council, among others, are expected to dissect and discuss sustainable transportation in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges, the theme of the 11th Nigeria Transport Lecture (NTL).
The event billed to take place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, is organized by Transport Day Media (www.transportday.com.ng), a monthly hard copy and daily online publication.
The discourse, which will involve industry players from both the public and private sectors, will x-ray sustainability, cutting across all modes of transportation in Nigeria.
According to the Editor of Transport Day Media, Mr. Frank Kintum, the topic is relevant in contemporary times because Nigeria cannot be left behind in the embrace of cleaner and sustainable transportation.
He said, “We cannot run away from the fact that we have to continuously discuss and take action on issues concerning sustainable transportation because it comes with a lot of benefits in terms of cost cutting, life style and general productivity”.
He added that the annual Transport Lecture which had held in Lagos and Abuja in the past, remains a platform for relevant stakeholders in the transport and logistics value chain to discuss and exchange ideas on key contemporary topics as they unfold.
Some lead paper presenters in past editions included MD, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), 1st Edition, 2013; DG, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), 5th Edition, 2018; Former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa, 9th Edition, 2022, and Corps Marshal of the FRSC, 10th edition, 2024.
Auto
NAJA announces date for 2nd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit

NAJA announces date for 2nd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit
…to focus on Nigeria first, local content development
The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has announced that the second edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) will hold on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
This year’s summit, themed “Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy”, will bring together key stakeholders in government, manufacturing, trade, among others to chart a forward-thinking path for the nation’s automotive industry.
Organised in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Nigeria Association of Automotive Manufacturers (NAMA), and the African Association of Automobile Manufacturers (AAAM), the summit aims to deepen the national conversation around local content integration and the long-term viability of Nigeria’s automotive sector.
It will also dwell on the Federal Government recently launched Nigeria’s First initiative and the buying of the locally assembled automobiles.
The event will be declared open by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, while Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, Director-General of the NADDC, will be the Chief Host.
Commenting on the importance of the summit, Mike Ochonma, Chairman of the NAISU Planning Committee, said: “This year’s summit focuses on how local content can drive sustainable industrialization in Nigeria’s auto sector.
“We are bringing the right voices together—from regulators and customs officials to local manufacturers and traders—so that policies and actions can align.
“Local content is more than policy; it’s the foundation for job creation, skill transfer, and industrial sovereignty. NAISU 2025 will help unify efforts and challenges to go beyond imported solutions.”
Some of those expected to make presentations at the summit are Chief Anselm Ilekuba, Chairman, Association of Local Content Manufacturers (ALCMAN); Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Hon. Ngozi Emechebe, President, Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA).
Theodore Opara, Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), the umbrella body for journalists covering the automotive sector in Nigeria, said, “As auto journalists, we understand the power of information in shaping national policy. NAISU is our contribution to a better-informed, locally driven auto economy.”
“The future of Nigeria’s auto sector lies in how we leverage our local resources, manpower, and innovation. NAISU offers a platform for strategic collaboration that reflects NAJA’s own mandate to build a resilient automotive ecosystem.”
“Local content is more than policy; it’s the foundation for job creation, skill transfer, and industrial sovereignty. NAISU 2025 will help unify efforts and challenges to go beyond imported solutions.”
The 2025 NAISU will feature keynote addresses, panel sessions, and networking engagements centred on how Nigeria can reduce dependency on imported components and increase domestic production capacity.
Issues slated for discussion include: Custom tariff frameworks and local assembly incentives; Supply chain localization and small-scale manufacturing; Technology transfer and skilled workforce development and Regulatory compliance and standard enforcement.
The Nigeria Auto Industry Summit is fast becoming the premier annual forum for strategic discourse on the automotive future of Africa’s largest economy.
For participation, partnership, or media inquiries, stakeholders are encouraged to contact the NAJA Secretariat or visit the association’s official communication channels.
-
Politics2 days ago
Atiku, El-Rufai, Amaechi move to register All Democratic Alliance
-
metro2 days ago
Alao-Akala’s daughter seeks DNA test for siblings, exhumation of ex-gov body
-
metro1 day ago
Will: Iwuanyanwu’s young widow barred from remarrying
-
International1 day ago
Trump calls US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities ‘spectacular success’
-
metro2 days ago
Police finally capture notorious Lagos cult leader
-
Opinion1 day ago
Bombing Iran: Trump’s grave error, by Fani-Kayode
-
News1 day ago
2027 VP ticket: Shettima snubs Ganduje at public function ( Video)
-
International2 days ago
Khamenei names 3 senior clerics as possible successors should he be killed – Report