Nigeria’s main vehicle manufacturers and trade gamers are set to compete for prime honours as the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) opens nominations for its nineteenth annual awards, scheduled for December 3, 2026, in Lagos.
The awards ceremony will maintain at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, with the Car of the Year class anticipated to draw specific consideration as producers and distributors battle for recognition in Nigeria’s more and more aggressive automotive market.
The awards will recognise excellent efficiency throughout automobile manufacturing and meeting, industrial transportation, alternative-energy mobility, after-sales companies, automotive distribution and particular person contributions to trade growth.
The occasion is anticipated to draw vehicle producers, distributors, sellers, monetary establishments, policymakers and different stakeholders at a time when the sector is experiencing adjustments pushed by evolving shopper preferences, technological innovation and rising curiosity in alternative-energy autos.
Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, stated the committee was dedicated to delivering a ceremony that displays the rising significance of Nigeria’s automotive trade.
He described the awards as a platform for celebrating manufacturers, organisations and people whose contributions have helped advance the sector.
According to him, the nineteenth version is being deliberate to be greater and extra glamorous than earlier editions whereas sustaining the credibility {and professional} requirements related to the occasion.
The organisers stated nominees can be assessed underneath related classes, with winners decided in line with the affiliation’s accepted award procedures.
NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, stated the awards transcend recognising the greatest gamers in the market to celebrating organisations and people which have demonstrated excellence and made significant contributions to the automotive ecosystem.
He added that the credibility of the analysis course of had strengthened the awards’ relevance amongst trade stakeholders.
The final result of the 2025 version offers a sign of the competitors anticipated this yr.
At the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held on December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Jetour Dashing emerged Car of the Year, beating the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo to the prime prize.
Mikano Motors received Auto Company of the Year, whereas the Changan CS55 was named Midsize SUV of the Year.
Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility received Workshop of the Year, whereas the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hiace emerged Pick-Up of the Year and Minibus of the Year, respectively.
In the industrial automobile phase, Dangote Sinotruk received Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, Iron Products Industries Limited was named Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year, and Lanre Shittu Motors received Truck Plant of the Year. Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing emerged Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.
Alternative-energy mobility additionally featured prominently, with SAGLEV profitable EV Brand of the Year and Jet Automobiles recognised as CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. NORD Automobiles received Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.
Carloha Nigeria secured Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year, whereas Winpart by CFAO received Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year for components and workshop companies.
NORD Automobiles Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatobi Ajayi, was named Auto Personality of the Year in the private-sector class, whereas National Automotive Design and Development Council Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, acquired the public-sector honour.
The 2026 version comes as native meeting, electrical mobility, compressed pure gasoline adoption and after-sales assist more and more form the trade’s course.
For competing manufacturers, profitable a serious class may strengthen market visibility and shopper confidence, whereas recognition for meeting crops and repair suppliers would spotlight the significance of the wider automotive worth chain.
With nominations now underway, consideration will flip to the producers, corporations and personalities that emerge as winners when the nineteenth NAJA Awards holds on December 3.
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