The battle for Nigeria’s top automotive honours has begun, with leading vehicle manufacturers, distributors and emerging mobility brands set to compete for the prestigious Car of the Year award and other major categories at the 19th Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards.
The opening of nominations has set the stage for what promises to be a keen contest among industry players, with the winners expected to emerge at the grand finale scheduled for December 3, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The awards, which recognise excellence across Nigeria’s automotive industry, will spotlight outstanding performances in vehicle manufacturing and assembly, commercial transportation, alternative-energy mobility, after-sales services, automotive distribution and individual contributions to sector development.
The Car of the Year category is expected
The Car of the Year category is expected to attract particular attention as automobile brands intensify competition for market share in an industry increasingly shaped by changing consumer preferences, technological innovation and demand for more affordable and efficient vehicles.
Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was committed to delivering an event that reflected the growing significance of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
He described the awards as an important platform for recognising individuals, brands and organisations whose contributions had advanced the sector.
Kintum said the 19th edition was being organised
Kintum said the 19th edition was being organised to surpass previous ceremonies in scale and presentation while maintaining the credibility and professional standards associated with the awards.
According to the organisers, competing products, brands and personalities will be evaluated under relevant categories, with winners determined in accordance with the association’s approved award modalities.
NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the awards were not designed solely to celebrate dominant market players but also to recognise organisations and individuals that had demonstrated measurable excellence and made meaningful contributions to the automotive ecosystem.
He said the credibility of the evaluation process
He said the credibility of the evaluation process had strengthened the awards’ relevance as a reference point for stakeholders across the industry.
The 2026 edition comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s automotive sector, as manufacturers and distributors contend with the growing adoption of alternative-energy vehicles, efforts to expand local assembly, evolving government policies and increasing demand for improved after-sales services.
These developments are expected to influence this year’s competition, particularly in categories covering electric vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG) mobility, commercial vehicles and local manufacturing.
The outcome of the 2025 edition provides
The outcome of the 2025 edition provides an indication of the intensity of competition expected this year.
At the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held on December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Jetour Dashing emerged Nigeria’s Car of the Year, beating the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo to claim the top honour.
Mikano Motors also recorded a major success, emerging Auto Company of the Year, while its Changan CS55 won the Midsize SUV of the Year category.
Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility was named Workshop
Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility was named Workshop of the Year, while the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hiace won 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 recognised as Truck Plant of the Year, while Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing secured Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.
The alternative-energy segment also featured prominently, with SAGLEV
The alternative-energy segment 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 secured Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year 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 the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Joseph Osanipin, received the public-sector honour.
The diversity of the 2025 winners highlighted
The diversity of the 2025 winners highlighted the expanding scope of the awards, which recognise not only passenger vehicle manufacturers but also commercial transport operators, local assemblers, workshop operators, alternative-energy mobility providers and other businesses supporting the automotive value chain.
For industry players, the awards offer an opportunity to strengthen brand visibility, build consumer confidence and demonstrate competitiveness in a market where product quality, affordability, technological features and reliable after-sales support increasingly influence purchasing decisions.
Recognition of local assembly plants and alternative-energy vehicle providers is also expected to draw attention to the importance of domestic manufacturing and the development of more sustainable transportation solutions.
As nominations gather momentum, the organisers have called
As nominations gather momentum, the organisers have called on automobile brands, manufacturers, distributors, dealers and other stakeholders to participate actively in the process.
With last year’s winners setting a competitive benchmark, attention is now shifting to the companies, vehicle models and industry personalities that will emerge as Nigeria’s best performers at the December 3 ceremony.
