November 21, (THEWILL) — Key players in Nigeria’s automotive and mobility value chain have formally endorsed the 2025 edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards, positioning the event as a critical instrument for advancing sectoral innovation, policy alignment, and ecosystem development.
Dr Femi Eguaikhide, the Chairman of the Auto & Allied Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Deputy Managing Director, RT Briscoe Nigeria Plc, commended NAJA for institutionalising what he described as the industry’s most credible, data-driven, and stakeholder-inclusive recognition platform.
According to Eguaikhide, the NAJA Awards have consistently contributed to demand stimulation, consumer awareness, and competitive benchmarking among OEMs, distributors, and service providers operating in Nigeria.
“The annual NAJA Awards remain a frontline mechanism for recognising organisations that demonstrate operational excellence, engineering innovation, and strategic contributions to national economic output. Its influence extends beyond brand visibility—it deepens stakeholder engagement and strengthens the narrative around the automotive sector’s role in industrial growth. NAJA has maintained a standards-driven process deserving of commendation”, he said.
The endorsement aligns with growing support from the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Chief Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, who has also validated the programme. Osanipin, scheduled to serve as the Guest Speaker, is expected to highlight policy frameworks driving local manufacturing, electric mobility adoption, and automotive value chain enhancement at the event.
Industry analysts note that the convergence of endorsements from both private-sector leaders and regulatory authorities underscores the expanding relevance of the NAJA Awards as a sectoral think-tank, complementing policy dialogues on Nigeria’s automotive transformation agenda.
The 2025 edition, slated for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, is projected to attract OEM executives, component manufacturers, dealership networks, aftermarket operators, regulators, and mobility-tech innovators. The gathering comes at a time when the sector is navigating global transitions in propulsion technologies, sustainability requirements, and supply chain restructuring.
Planning Committee Chairman, Frank Kintum, said the organising team is deploying strengthened evaluation metrics and enhanced technical parameters to maintain the awards’ position as the industry’s benchmark for credibility, transparency, and performance measurement.
“The NAJA Awards have evolved into a comprehensive assessment platform recognising brands and individuals whose operations reflect engineering advancement, sustainable mobility practices, and adherence to regulatory compliance. This year’s edition will spotlight progress in local assembly, green mobility integration, and policy-driven ecosystem expansion”, Kintum stated.
NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, emphasised the importance of aligning the awards with national industrialisation priorities and the Federal Government’s automotive sector development objectives.
“As the sector undergoes technological and structural transitions, NAJA remains committed to reinforcing industry initiatives that support sustainable manufacturing, innovation-led mobility solutions, and automotive sector competitiveness. Our collaboration with the NADDC further strengthens the technical relevance and policy alignment of the awards”, Opara noted.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
