“Car of the Year, commercial vehicles, alternative-energy mobility and other categories headline the contest as nominations open for the 19th edition”
Nigeria’s automotive brands, vehicle distributors, assemblers and industry players are gearing up for a fresh contest for top honours as the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) opens nominations for its 19th annual awards, scheduled for December 3, 2026, in Lagos.
The Car of the Year category is expected to attract particular attention at the awards ceremony, which will hold at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, alongside other categories recognising achievements across the country’s automotive value chain.
The awards seek to recognise outstanding automobile brands, manufacturers, distributors, service providers and individuals whose contributions have helped shape the development of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
Other categories will cover vehicle manufacturing and assembly, commercial vehicles, alternative-energy mobility, after-sales services, automotive distribution and individual contributions to the sector.
The event is expected to bring together automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers, financial institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders at a time when the industry is responding to changing consumer preferences, emerging vehicle technologies, alternative-energy solutions and renewed interest in local assembly.
Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was committed to delivering a ceremony that reflected the growing importance of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
He described the awards as an important platform for celebrating brands, organisations and individuals whose activities have contributed significantly to the sector’s development.
Kintum said the 19th edition was being planned to surpass previous ceremonies in scale and presentation while maintaining the credibility and professional standards associated with the awards.
According to the organisers, entries will be assessed under the relevant categories, with winners determined in accordance with the association’s approved award procedures.
NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the awards were designed not merely to celebrate the biggest names in the market but also to recognise organisations and individuals that had demonstrated excellence and made meaningful contributions to the automotive ecosystem.
He noted that the credibility of the evaluation process had helped sustain the awards’ relevance among industry stakeholders.
As nominations progress, competition is expected to reflect the increasing diversity of Nigeria’s automotive market, where established manufacturers and distributors face competition from emerging brands, new vehicle models and alternative-energy mobility solutions.
2025 Winners Set the Benchmark
The outcome of the 2025 edition provides a reference point for the contest ahead.
At the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held on December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Jetour Dashing emerged as Nigeria’s Car of the Year, beating the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo to the top prize.
The recognition placed the compact crossover SUV in the spotlight amid intensifying competition among vehicle brands seeking to attract Nigerian buyers through design, technology, performance and value.
Mikano Motors also recorded a notable outing, winning Auto Company of the Year, while its Changan CS55 was named Midsize SUV of the Year.
Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility won Workshop of the Year, while the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hiace secured the Pick-Up of the Year and Minibus of the Year awards, respectively.
In the commercial vehicle segment, Dangote Sinotruk emerged Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, while Iron Products Industries Limited won Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year. Lanre Shittu Motors was named Truck Plant of the Year, and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing secured Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.
The alternative-energy categories also featured prominently, with SAGLEV winning EV Brand of the Year and Jet Automobiles named CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. NORD Automobiles emerged Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.
Carloha Nigeria won Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year, while Winpart by CFAO received the Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year award for parts and workshop services.
The awards also recognised individual contributions to the industry. NORD Automobiles Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatobi Ajayi, was named Auto Personality of the Year in the private-sector category, while National Automotive Design and Development Council Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, received the corresponding public-sector honour.
The spread of winners highlighted the awards’ coverage of the wider automotive value chain, extending beyond passenger vehicles to commercial transportation, local assembly, workshop services, electric mobility and automotive business development.
Industry Transformation Raises the Stakes
The 2026 edition comes amid significant changes in the automotive sector, with vehicle electrification, compressed natural gas adoption, local manufacturing, after-sales support and evolving government policies influencing industry priorities.
These developments are creating fresh opportunities for manufacturers, distributors, assemblers and service providers, while placing greater emphasis on affordability, operational efficiency, product reliability and customer support.
For vehicle brands, winning a major category could strengthen market visibility and consumer confidence. Recognition for assembly plants, after-sales businesses and commercial vehicle operators would also draw attention to the importance of the wider automotive value chain.
The organisers have urged automobile brands and other industry stakeholders to participate in the nomination process as preparations gather momentum for the December ceremony.
With the previous edition’s winners establishing a competitive benchmark, attention will now turn to the companies, vehicle models and industry personalities that will emerge at the 19th NAJA Awards on December 3.