The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has fixed Thursday, December 3, 2026, for its 19th annual awards, with the organisers promising a bigger and more prestigious celebration of excellence in Nigeria’s automotive industry.
The much-anticipated ceremony will hold at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, and is expected to attract leading automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers, financial institutions, policymakers, motoring enthusiasts and other key stakeholders across the sector.
The organisers said the 2026 edition was being carefully planned to surpass previous editions in scale, organisation and glamour, while preserving the credibility and professional standards associated with the NAJA Awards.
Committee Promises Bigger Celebration
Speaking on preparations for the event, Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was determined to deliver a ceremony worthy of the growing importance of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
Kintum described the awards as an important platform for recognising individuals, brands and organisations that have made significant contributions to the development of the automobile sector.
He said the 19th edition would be “bigger and more glamorous” than previous editions, adding that the committee was working to ensure that every aspect of the ceremony reflects the quality and achievements of the industry.
According to him, the awards would continue to uphold the principles of professionalism and credible assessment in determining deserving winners.
The committee also disclosed that the process would involve the assessment of products, brands and personalities across relevant segments of the industry, with the final outcomes determined in line with the approved NAJA Awards modalities.
Excellence, Not Market Size
Chairman of NAJA, Theodore Opara, said the objective of the awards was not simply to celebrate the biggest players in the market, but to recognise those that had demonstrated measurable excellence and made meaningful contributions to the growth of the automotive sector.
Opara noted that the awards had become an increasingly important reference point for industry stakeholders because of the credibility attached to the judging and evaluation process.
He said the association remained committed to ensuring that recognition under the NAJA Awards was based on performance, impact and contribution rather than market size alone.
Spotlight on Industry Transformation
With Nigeria’s automotive industry undergoing significant changes driven by technology, electric mobility, local manufacturing, changing consumer preferences and evolving government policies, the organisers said the 2026 awards would provide an opportunity to celebrate individuals and organisations helping to shape the sector’s future.
The committee urged automobile brands and other stakeholders to participate actively in the awards process, stressing that the event would provide a platform to acknowledge outstanding contributions while bringing the industry together for another landmark celebration.