Nigeria’s automotive industry is bracing for a high-stakes battle as three rising Chinese powerhouses — Changan, Jetour and Chery emerge as the dominant contenders for the prestigious 2025 Nigeria Car-of-the-Year Award, signalling a major shift in consumer preference and market leadership.
The finalists — Changan CS55, Jetour Dashing, and Chery Tiggo 8 were officially unveiled last Thursday by the Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA), setting the stage for one of the most competitive editions in recent years.
Last year’s surprise champion, the Changan CS55, which famously defeated industry staples like the Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio, returns with hopes of defending its title. But industry watchers said the landscape has changed, with the Jetour Dashing and Chery Tiggo 8 gaining impressive traction among Nigerian motorists and closing the gap rapidly.
The highly anticipated NAJA International Auto Awards will hold on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Widely recognised as Nigeria’s most influential and credible celebration of automotive innovation, design excellence and industry leadership, the awards ceremony attracts senior government officials, top automotive executives and the journalism community.
Chinese Brands Now Leading — NAJA Chairman
According to Theodore Opara, Chairman of NAJA, the 2025 finalists reflect the significant transformation sweeping through Nigeria’s automotive landscape.
“For the first time, Chinese manufacturers are not just competing — they are leading the pack”, Opara said.
“The quality, technology and market acceptance demonstrated by these three shortlisted brands show how much the industry is changing”.
Opara noted that the Awards Committee placed strong emphasis on innovation, durability and suitability for Nigeria’s driving conditions, ensuring that only the most relevant and resilient models made the shortlist.
More Categories Coming Soon
NAJA will release the full list of nominees for other categories in the coming days. These include awards covering local vehicle assembly, electrification, after sales excellence, heavy-duty trucks, transport services, luxury mobility, and more.
‘We’re Raising the Bar’ — Awards Planning Committee
Chairman of the Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, assured that preparations are in full swing to deliver an event befitting NAJA’s reputation for integrity and industry influence.
“Preparations are in top gear to ensure the 2025 edition sustains NAJA’s reputation as the most credible and unifying platform for recognising excellence in the auto sector”, Kintum said.
“The industry is expanding rapidly; from electric mobility to local assembly — and our awards must reflect this evolving reality”,
NADDC DG and FRSC Corps Marshal to Attend as Special Guests
The statement also confirmed the attendance of two major sector leaders: the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Chief Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Osanipin is expected to highlight the Council’s long-term vision for Nigeria’s automotive development, particularly in local assembly growth and EV adoption, while the FRSC Corps Marshal will use the platform to advance key road safety initiatives among industry stakeholders.