The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on 31st March 2026, launched the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP), a strategic initiative aimed at improving vehicle safety, environmental compliance, and the overall quality of vehicles entering Nigeria.
The programme responds to growing concerns over the importation of used vehicles without proper verification of safety, structural integrity, emissions performance, and lifecycle history—factors that contribute to road accidents, environmental risks, and unfair competition within the automotive sector.
During the official launch of the VehCAP initiative in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, described the initiative as a testament to the power of collaboration between the two key institutions—NADDC and SON. He expressed appreciation to the President for enabling the initiative and commended the administration’s commitment to industrialising Nigeria and protecting citizens from substandard goods.
The Minister further highlighted that the programme integrates vehicle safety into Nigeria’s broader economic policy framework, including fiscal instruments, foreign exchange management, import financing, and vehicle renewal systems, all aligned with safety and standardisation objectives. He emphasised that with the commencement of the SON–NADDC VehCAP, all new and used vehicles, as well as automotive products entering Nigeria, must obtain Shipment Certification under VehCAP prior to approval processes, including customs valuation, port processing, import clearance, and eventual market entry.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, explained that VehCAP introduces a proactive system that ensures vehicles are inspected and certified before shipment into Nigeria, marking a critical shift from the previous “inspect after arrival” approach to a more effective “verify before entry” framework.
Under the initiative, NADDC will provide technical oversight, including vehicle classification, model verification, and alignment with national automotive policies, ensuring the programme supports both regulation and industry development.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SON, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, acknowledged the leadership and commitment of the Honourable Minister in strengthening Nigeria’s industrial and regulatory systems. He noted that the Minister’s policy direction and steadfast support for standards-driven initiatives continue to reinforce the critical role of quality infrastructure in national economic development.
He further emphasised that the initiative is fully aligned with the vision of Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which places strong emphasis on economic revitalisation, industrial competitiveness, and the protection of Nigerian lives. Strengthening product standards, improving regulatory coordination, and safeguarding the Nigerian market from unsafe and substandard imports remain essential pillars of this vision.
In addition, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Francis Fadahunsi, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanwem, both expressed their full commitment and support for the successful implementation of VehCAP, underscoring the importance of strong legislative and institutional backing in achieving the programme’s objectives.
The programme is expected to enhance road safety, strengthen consumer protection, promote environmental sustainability, and restore market discipline by restricting substandard vehicle imports while encouraging compliance.
Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been urged to align their procurement processes with VehCAP requirements and support its implementation through coordinated efforts.
VehCAP represents a significant milestone in inter-agency collaboration between NADDC and SON, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to a safer, more structured, and globally competitive automotive sector.
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