December 30, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s auto journalists have come up with a verdict, scoring Mikano International (Motors Division) and its flagship brand, Changan, high in the 18th edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards held, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
While Mikano Motors was bestowed with the maiden accolade of the Auto Company of the Year, its wave-making Changan brand was nominated for a couple of categories, but it was the CS55 that was voted the Best Midsize SUV of 2025, beating some other popular nominees on the night.
Changan CS55, which was the reigning Car of the Year, had to relinquish the crown for another car to be crowned to begin a new reign, even though many were of the well considered view that it deserved another tenure.
Nevertheless, it was a smiling Karima Okunola, Head of Marketing at Mikano Motors, that stepped up the stage to receive both honours for the company and the brand.
The impressive showing by Mikano at the 2025 NAJA Awards held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, did not come to many a guest as a surprise, because the company is a rapidly growing automotive player focusing on bringing quality vehicles to Nigeria, and offering consumer-friendly models with strong warranties and premium features.
To crown it all, the vehicles are fully backed by the auto company with very satisfactory after-sales support, including large stocks of replacement parts at modern service centres manned by highly trained technicians.
In about six years that Mikano Motors has been in the auto assembly and distribution, it has succeeded in setting the standards for even the competitors to marvel at. The partnership with Changan Auto less than three years ago, has further enhanced this reputation.
That explains why apart from this year’s Auto Company of the Year and Best Midsize SUV awards and last year’s Car of the Year for CS55, Mikano Motors has in the past four years won other top NAJA Awards honours.
The haul includes, but not limited to, the most deserved Auto Showroom of the Year and the Most Innovative Auto Company (2023).
The 2025 NAJA Awards once again underscored the critical role of leading brands like Mikano Motors and Changan in strengthening Nigeria’s auto industrial backbone, while celebrating outstanding achievements across the nation’s automotive landscape generally.
Mikano Motors officially launched the Changan brand in Nigeria early in 2023, marking the start of selling Chinese-made class-beating SUVs, sedans, and crossovers, with a major celebratory gala in December 2023 – solidifying their partnership and growth in the Nigerian market.
The Changan line-up also includes the CS55, CS75, CS95 and CS35 SUVs, as well as the popular Alsvin sedan.
Attracting customers in the pick-up segment is the Hunter pick-up and the much improved newer Plus model.
Globally, these are all vehicles that contribute to Changan Auto’s enviable reputation as the manufacturer of a wide range of very safe and top quality vehicles used in all parts of the world.
The automaker is also ranked first among China’s best-selling homegrown auto brands, also because of its quality.
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.
