The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, has assured that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to ensure that all vehicles and components entering the country comply with the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP) safety standards.
Enoh said the initiative is aimed at mitigating risks associated with substandard vehicle components and improving overall road safety in Nigeria.
He explained that VehCAP facilitates trade by establishing clear, transparent and internationally aligned requirements, enabling original importers, equipment manufacturers and local producers to benefit from a predictable, rules-based market access system.
According to the minister, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) VehCAP is a structured compliance framework jointly driven by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Automotive Design and Development Council to provide unified regulatory guidance on vehicle and component safety.
Enoh made the remarks at a sensitisation workshop organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Abuja. The workshop, themed “Certified Automobile Products, Safer Nigerian Roads,” carried the campaign message: No Certification, No Entry.
The Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Okeke, said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises economic revitalisation, industrial competitiveness and the protection of lives and livelihoods.
Okeke noted that the programme would strengthen product standards, enhance regulatory coordination and shield the Nigerian market from unsafe and substandard imports.
He described the introduction of VehCAP as a major step towards a more structured, preventive and standards-driven approach to addressing longstanding concerns about the quality and safety of vehicles and automotive components in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Oluwemimo Osanipin, said Nigeria operates one of Africa’s largest automotive markets but faces significant challenges due to weak verification processes for imported vehicles, particularly used ones.
Osanipin warned that many vehicles enter the country without proper checks on structural integrity, safety condition, emissions performance and lifecycle history, contributing to mechanical failures, increased accident severity and the circulation of substandard components.
He added that the situation also undermines the competitiveness of Nigeria’s local automotive industry, stressing the need for decisive action to address the challenge.
