The Federal Government has intensified efforts to rid Nigeria’s roads of unsafe vehicles, with the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, reaffirming commitment to enforcing strict safety standards through the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP).
Enoh said the initiative is designed to ensure that all vehicles and automotive components imported or manufactured in Nigeria meet globally accepted safety standards, thereby reducing risks associated with substandard products.
He explained that VehCAP promotes a transparent, rules-based system that benefits original equipment manufacturers, importers, and local producers by creating a predictable market environment.
The minister spoke at a sensitisation workshop in Abuja organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), themed “Certified Automobile Products, Safer Nigerian Roads,” with the campaign slogan “No Certification, No Entry.”
According to him, the SON-NADDC VehCAP represents a coordinated regulatory framework aimed at improving vehicle and component safety while strengthening oversight across the automotive sector.
Director-General of SON, Ifeanyi Okeke, said the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focusing on economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and consumer protection.
He described the initiative as a major step toward eliminating substandard imports and enhancing product quality in Nigeria’s automotive market.
Similarly, Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Osanipin, raised concerns over the influx of vehicles—particularly used ones—entering the country without proper verification of safety, emissions, and structural integrity.
He warned that such practices contribute to road accidents, mechanical failures, and increased circulation of substandard components, while also undermining local automotive development.
Osanipin stressed the need for decisive action, noting that Nigeria’s large automotive market must transition to a more structured, standards-driven system to safeguard lives and support industry growth.
The government says the enforcement of VehCAP will mark a turning point in ensuring safer roads, improved vehicle quality, and a more competitive automotive sector in Nigeria.
