Part of the highlights at the 18th Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards, was the crowning of Otunba Joseph Osanipin and Oluwatobi Ajayi as Auto Personalities of the Year in the public and private sectors respectively.
The prestigious ceremony, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together policymakers, automotive executives, manufacturers, assemblers, innovators and media professionals to celebrate excellence across Nigeria’s automotive value chain.
Public Sector Leadership: Osanipin’s Policy-Driven Impact
Osanipin, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), received the Auto Personality of the Year (Public Sector) award in recognition of his strategic leadership in strengthening policy frameworks, promoting local vehicle assembly and advancing alternative energy solutions within the industry.
Under his leadership, NADDC has intensified efforts in policy advocacy, capacity development and domestic value-chain expansion, while pushing initiatives on green mobility and alternative fuels aligned with Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.
In his acceptance speech, Osanipin commended NAJA for its role in spotlighting industry developments and promoting transparency, innovation and accountability. He stressed the importance of automotive journalism in shaping informed public discourse and policy, and called for stronger collaboration between the media and government to accelerate industry growth.
Private Sector Innovation: Ajayi Redefines Local Manufacturer
On the private sector front, Ajayi who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nord Motors, was honoured as Auto Personality of the Year (Private Sector), underscoring his growing influence as a driver of local manufacturing and innovation.
Ajayi’s career trajectory; from Mercedes-Benz Nigeria to co-founding Jetvan and leading Nord Motors reflects a blend of engineering expertise and entrepreneurial vision. His leadership has been defined by a strong commitment to indigenous production, technology-driven solutions and the development of Nigerian automotive brands.
Key milestones under his watch include the launch of Tavet Motion, Nord’s electric vehicle subsidiary, and the unveiling of three locally assembled EV models—Luto, Garent and Vant, marking Nigeria’s entry into the electric mobility space.
Celebrating Excellence Across the Industry
Beyond the personality honours, the 2025 NAJA Auto Awards recognised excellence across several categories. Jetour Dashing emerged as Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year, while Mikano International was named Auto Company of the Year. Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility clinched Workshop of the Year.
Indigenous manufacturers, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing and Iron Products Industries Ltd, also received accolades, reflecting the growing strength of local assembly and manufacturing. Emerging brands and EV-focused companies featured prominently, signalling rising attention to future mobility solutions.
Looking Ahead: A Sector in Transition
The awards come at a defining moment for Nigeria’s automotive industry as policy reforms, sustainability goals and private-sector innovation converge.
With increased emphasis on local production, electric vehicles and job creation, the sector is undergoing a gradual but significant transformation.
The recognition of Osanipin and Ajayi captures this dual momentum—policy leadership and entrepreneurial execution offering a glimpse into a future where Nigeria’s automotive industry shifts from import dependence to innovation-led growth.