The National Automotive Design and Development Council says SON/NADDC Vehicle Capacity standards for new vehicles entering Nigeria will begin implementation by August or September next year.

NADDC director-general, Joseph Osanipin, disclosed this at the 18th Nigeria Auto Journalist International Awards 2025, organised by NAJA on Tuesday in Lagos. Mr Osanipin said Nigeria already enforces SONCAP on new vehicles and assembly kits imported by companies for local vehicle assembly operations.

“We also have SONCAP, but you will ask why used vehicles, which are not as solid as new ones, do not have a similar certification,” he said.

He described the situation as an anomaly, adding, “This is an anomaly, and we are trying to correct it.”

Mr Osanipin said verifying new vehicles without assessing used imports raised serious safety and quality concerns within the automotive value chain.

“If new vehicles must meet international standards, what about used vehicles coming into the country?” he asked.

He said policies were being introduced to ensure used vehicles are tested, accredited and certified before being allowed into Nigeria.

“For used vehicles, we are putting policies in place to ensure they are tested, accredited and certified before entering the country,” he said.

Mr Osanipin noted the measures were part of gradual steps aimed at phasing out used vehicles from the Nigerian market. He said the process would be difficult but necessary to address the growing menace of imported used vehicles nationwide.

“This is what we must do to promote local assembly of new vehicles,” he added.

Mr Osanipin acknowledged likely resistance and urged the media to educate Nigerians on the benefits of improved vehicle quality.

“When these policies come, there will be pushback. We need the media to explain that this will improve vehicle quality on Nigerian roads,” he said.

He added that the reforms would strengthen the auto sector, noting that Nigeria should not continue to rely on imported used vehicles.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister for industry, John Enoh, said the National Auto Industry Development Policy would soon take effect. Mr Enoh said the policy would follow the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the Nigeria Industry Policy.

He said the Nigeria Industry Policy would provide a framework for guiding Nigeria’s industrial development.

“These are steps we are taking to ensure the auto sector is given priority,” he said.

(NAN)