The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has launched the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP) to ensure that all vehicles entering Nigeria meet strict safety, quality, and environmental standards before shipment.
Unveiled on 31 March 2026 in Abuja, the initiative introduces a new layer of control over vehicle imports by requiring comprehensive inspection and certification at the point of origin. The move directly targets long-standing concerns about the influx of substandard and poorly documented vehicles into the Nigerian market, many of which pose risks to road safety and the environment.
Officials explained that VehCAP is designed to eliminate gaps in the current system by shifting from a reactive approach to a preventive one. Rather than inspecting vehicles after they arrive in the country, the programme mandates verification before shipment, ensuring that only compliant vehicles are allowed into Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, described the programme as a critical step in safeguarding Nigerians and strengthening regulatory standards. “This initiative reflects the strength of collaboration between NADDC and SON and our shared commitment to protecting citizens from substandard products,” he said.
He further noted that VehCAP is not just a regulatory tool but part of a broader economic strategy. “Vehicle safety is now being integrated into key policy areas such as import financing, foreign exchange management, and fiscal planning, all aligned with national standardisation objectives,” Enoh added.
Under the new framework, all new and used vehicles, as well as automotive products entering Nigeria, must obtain a Shipment Certification under VehCAP before proceeding to customs valuation, port processing, import clearance, and eventual entry into the market. This requirement is expected to significantly reduce the number of unsafe vehicles that previously slipped through regulatory checks.
The Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, emphasised the importance of this shift, describing it as a decisive change in how Nigeria manages vehicle imports. “VehCAP introduces a proactive system that ensures vehicles are inspected and certified before shipment into Nigeria,” he said. “This marks a transition from the old ‘inspect after arrival’ model to a more effective ‘verify before entry’ approach.”
Osanipin explained that NADDC will play a central role in providing technical oversight, including vehicle classification, model verification, and alignment with national automotive policies. According to him, this will ensure that the programme not only enforces standards but also supports the growth and development of the local automotive industry.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SON, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, highlighted the broader significance of the programme in strengthening Nigeria’s quality infrastructure. He praised the policy direction behind the initiative, noting that it reinforces the importance of standards in national development.
“Strengthening product standards and improving regulatory coordination are essential to safeguarding the Nigerian market from unsafe imports,” Okeke said, adding that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s economic agenda.
The initiative has also received backing from key stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, Francis Fadahunsi, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanwem, both of whom pledged support for its implementation.
With VehCAP now in place, government agencies have been urged to align procurement processes with the new requirements, ensuring consistency across regulatory and operational systems.
