Despite perceived economic hardship and high inflation, Nigerians have not hidden their love for automobiles, especially luxury brands. This has made the country one of the destinations for luxury automobile brands in Africa.
And as the year draws to a close, nominations are underway for Nigeria’s leading auto brands and industry players to compete for top honours at the Car of the Year Award organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).
The commencement of nominations marks a significant step towards the December 3, 2026, grand finale, scheduled to hold at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, where outstanding automobile brands, manufacturers, distributors, service providers and industry personalities will be recognised for their performance and contributions to the sector.
The awards come at a time when the Nigerian automobile market is experiencing considerable changes, driven by rising vehicle acquisition costs, changing consumer preferences, competition among established and emerging brands, and growing interest in alternative-energy vehicles.
For many Nigerians, owning a vehicle remains an important aspiration, although the cost of purchasing and maintaining one has become a major consideration. The depreciation of the naira, foreign exchange pressures, import duties and the rising cost of spare parts have combined to make vehicle ownership increasingly expensive.
Yet, demand for automobiles has not disappeared. Rather, buyers are becoming more conscious of the balance between affordability, durability, fuel economy, maintenance costs, technological features and resale value. These considerations have intensified competition among manufacturers and distributors seeking to consolidate their positions in the market.
It is against this background that the NAJA awards have continued to attract attention, providing an industry platform for assessing the performance of automobile brands and recognising contributions across the automotive value chain.
Among the categories expected to generate keen interest is the Car of the Year award, which has become a major talking point at the annual event, providing an opportunity for competing vehicle brands to demonstrate their strengths in an increasingly competitive Nigerian automotive market.
Other categories will spotlight excellence across different segments of the industry, including vehicle manufacturing and assembly, commercial vehicles, alternative-energy mobility, after-sales services, automotive distribution and individual contributions to sector development.
The awards are expected to attract leading automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers, financial institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders, as the industry navigates changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, alternative-energy vehicles and renewed efforts to promote local assembly.
Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was determined to deliver a ceremony worthy of the growing importance of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
Kintum described the awards as an important platform for recognising individuals, brands and organisations whose activities have contributed significantly to the development of the sector.
He said the 19th edition was being planned to be bigger and more glamorous than previous editions, while upholding the credibility and professional standards associated with the awards.
According to the organisers, products, brands and personalities will be assessed across relevant categories, with the final outcomes determined in line with the association’s approved award modalities.
NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the awards were not merely about celebrating the biggest players in the market but also recognising organisations and individuals that had demonstrated measurable excellence and made meaningful contributions to the automotive ecosystem.
He noted that the credibility of the evaluation process had helped strengthen the awards’ relevance as a reference point for industry stakeholders.
As nominations progress, competition is expected to reflect the growing diversity of Nigeria’s automotive market, where established manufacturers and distributors are facing increasing competition from emerging brands, new vehicle models and alternative-energy mobility solutions.
2025 winners set the pace
The outcome of the 2025 edition provides an indication of the competition that could unfold in this year’s contest.
At the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held on December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Jetour Dashing emerged as Nigeria’s Car of the Year after beating the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo to the top prize.
The award placed the compact crossover SUV in the spotlight, reflecting the growing competition among vehicle brands seeking to attract Nigerian buyers through design, technology, performance and value.
Mikano Motors also recorded a major success, winning Auto Company of the Year, while its Changan CS55 was named Midsize SUV of the Year.
Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility won Workshop of the Year, while the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hiace emerged Pick-Up of the Year and Minibus of the Year, respectively.
Other notable winners included Dangote Sinotruk as Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, Iron Products Industries Limited as Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year, Lanre Shittu Motors as Truck Plant of the Year and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing as Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.
In the alternative-energy segment, SAGLEV won EV Brand of the Year, while Jet Automobiles was recognised as CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. NORD Automobiles emerged Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.
Carloha Nigeria secured the Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year awards, while Winpart by CFAO won Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year for parts and workshop services.
The awards also recognised individual contributions, with NORD Automobiles Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatobi Ajayi, named Auto Personality of the Year in the private-sector category, while National Automotive Design and Development Council Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, received the public-sector honour.
The range of winners illustrated the breadth of the awards, which extend beyond passenger vehicles to recognise achievements in commercial transportation, local assembly, workshop services, electric mobility and automotive business development.
It also demonstrated that recognition in the Nigerian automotive market is no longer confined to the manufacturers of popular passenger cars. The contribution of assembly plants, truck manufacturers, distributors, after-sales operators and alternative-energy businesses has become increasingly important to the industry’s growth.
For instance, the recognition of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing highlighted the place of indigenous assembly in the country’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported vehicles. Similarly, the awards for commercial vehicle manufacturers and truck assemblers reflected the importance of transportation equipment to businesses, logistics operators and the wider economy.
Industry expectations rise
The 2026 awards come at a time when the automotive industry is undergoing significant changes, with vehicle electrification, compressed natural gas adoption, local manufacturing, after-sales support and evolving government policies shaping its direction.
One of the major issues confronting the industry is Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported vehicles. This has implications for foreign exchange demand, vehicle prices, employment opportunities and the development of local manufacturing capacity.
Figures contained in the United States International Trade Administration’s 2025 Nigeria Automotive Sector report showed that local production of new vehicles was estimated at about 100 units in 2024, compared with estimated imports of 130 units. The report, however, cautioned that the figures covered new vehicles and excluded used and refurbished imports, which constitute a significant part of the Nigerian market.
The dependence on imports has continued to expose the market to exchange rate movements and international supply chain pressures, making affordability a major concern for prospective buyers.
The challenge also explains why successive administrations have sought to encourage local vehicle assembly and the development of an indigenous automotive industry.
Under the National Automotive Industry Development Plan 2023–2033, the Federal Government is targeting 40 per cent local content in vehicle production and a greater role for electric vehicles, including a target for 30 per cent of locally produced vehicles to be electric by 2032. The plan is designed to encourage investment, strengthen local component manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported automotive products.
There have also been fresh government efforts to support locally assembled vehicles through public procurement.
In May 2026, the Bureau of Public Procurement and the National Automotive Design and Development Council signed off on the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy in the automotive sector. The policy seeks to prioritise vehicles manufactured or assembled locally in government procurement.
The Federal Government subsequently directed ministries, departments and agencies to source their vehicles from licensed local assemblers or authorised retailers, with sanctions threatened for non-compliance.
While the policy could provide a more predictable market for local assembly plants, its long-term impact will depend on the ability of manufacturers to deliver competitive products, expand production capacity, meet quality standards and offer reliable after-sales services.
Against this background, the awards provide an opportunity to highlight businesses and individuals responding to these changes while delivering products and services to Nigerian consumers.
The transition towards cleaner energy is another development expected to influence the direction of the industry. In March 2026, President Bola Tinubu approved the expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas to include electric vehicles, giving the programme responsibility for coordinating the country’s clean mobility strategy. The initiative is expected to support CNG conversions, EV infrastructure and investment in alternative-energy transportation.
However, the transition is not without challenges. A report by TheCable in August 2026 indicated that the adoption of CNG-powered private cars remained limited, despite government efforts to promote the technology. The experience points to the need for adequate infrastructure, consumer awareness, affordable conversion options and stronger participation by automobile dealers.
Electric vehicles also face similar challenges, particularly the cost of acquisition, availability of charging facilities, battery maintenance and reliable electricity supply. These are issues manufacturers, distributors and policymakers will have to address if alternative-energy mobility is to gain wider acceptance among Nigerian motorists.
Another critical area is after-sales service. With the increasing number of vehicle brands entering the Nigerian market, the availability of genuine spare parts, trained technicians, warranty support and accessible maintenance facilities will play an important role in determining consumer confidence.
For many buyers, the decision to purchase a particular vehicle goes beyond its appearance or technological features. The availability and cost of replacement parts, fuel consumption, durability and the ability to obtain reliable servicing are equally important.
This makes recognition of after-sales companies and service providers particularly relevant, as their activities directly influence the ownership experience and the long-term reputation of automobile brands.
For vehicle manufacturers and distributors, winning a major category could strengthen brand visibility and market positioning, while recognition for assembly plants, service providers and transport operators would underscore the importance of the wider automotive value chain.
The organisers have urged automobile brands and other industry stakeholders to participate actively in the nomination process as preparations gather momentum for the December ceremony.
With the 2025 winners setting a competitive benchmark, attention will now turn to the brands, companies and personalities that will emerge at the 19th edition of the NAJA awards on December 3.
Beyond the glamour of the ceremony and the presentation of trophies, the bigger expectation is that the awards will continue to encourage healthy competition, reward innovation and draw attention to the investments and professional contributions needed to build a stronger Nigerian automotive industry.
For an industry facing the combined pressures of affordability, foreign exchange instability, technological changes and the drive for local manufacturing, recognising excellence is not merely a celebration of commercial success. It is also an opportunity to identify the players shaping the future of mobility in Nigeria.
