The Nigerian Government has launched a vehicle compliance framework aimed at tightening import controls and improving road safety as part of efforts to eliminate substandard vehicles from the country’s automotive market.
The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, announced the policy during the official launch of the SON–NADDC Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP) in Abuja, describing it as a major shift in Nigeria’s regulatory and industrial strategy.
He said the initiative reflects a coordinated government response involving multiple institutions.
“This is not just another regulatory intervention. It is a necessary shift in how vehicles enter, operate, and ultimately impact our country,” Enoh stated.
READ ALSO: Security Stakeholders Renew Call for Vehicle Database Integration
The minister warned that Nigeria’s automotive market had been exposed to significant risks due to weak import controls.
“A significant proportion of vehicles imported into Nigeria, particularly used vehicles, enter without adequate verification of structural integrity, safety conditions, emissions performance, and lifecycle history,” he added.
Enoh explained that VehCAP introduces a stricter pre-shipment verification system developed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), designed to ensure that only certified vehicles enter the country.
The Director-General of NADDC, speaking during the launch, described the programme as a major shift in regulatory approach.
“This is not just another regulatory intervention. It is a necessary shift in how vehicles enter, operate, and ultimately impact our country,” he said, reiterating Enoh’s remarks.
He highlighted concerns over the influx of vehicles without proper safety verification, noting that “a significant proportion of vehicles imported into Nigeria enter without adequate verification of structural integrity, safety condition, emissions performance, and lifecycle history”.
According to him, the situation has led to increased road safety risks and unfair competition within the automotive sector, a reality the country must confront and decisively address.
Explaining the approach, he said, “VehCAP shifts our system from ‘Inspect after arrival’ to ‘verify before entry.”
The NADDC further emphasised that the programme is designed not only as a regulatory tool but also as a strategic instrument to drive industry growth, improve environmental standards, and enhance consumer protection.
He called on government institutions and stakeholders to support implementation, stressing the need for coordinated action across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to ensure compliance.
The new framework, developed in collaboration with SON, introduces stricter requirements for vehicle imports, including pre-shipment inspection and mandatory certification.