The federal government has stepped up efforts to curb the importation of unsafe vehicles with the launch of the SON–NADDC Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP).
Gatekeepers News reports that unveiled on March 31, 2026, at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, the initiative is a joint effort between the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). It is designed to ensure that only vehicles that meet safety and regulatory standards are allowed into the Nigerian market.
Speaking at a Government Agencies’ Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Workshop, the Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said the programme represents a transition from reactive enforcement to a preventive regulatory system focused on quality assurance at the point of entry.
He explained that the VehCAP framework introduces early-stage compliance checks across the import value chain, ensuring that vehicles and automotive components meet required standards before shipment. According to him, the initiative aligns with the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Okeke warned that the continued influx of substandard products goes beyond technical shortcomings, posing risks to road safety, consumer protection, and public confidence. He added that VehCAP would tackle these challenges through a more structured regulatory approach that promotes transparency and reduces reliance on post-entry enforcement.
In his welcome address, NADDC Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, described the programme as a “strategic intervention” aimed at closing longstanding gaps in Nigeria’s automotive sector.
He noted that many imported vehicles—especially used ones—enter the country without proper verification of safety conditions, emissions compliance, or operational history, a situation he said contributes to road accidents and environmental hazards.
Osanipin explained that VehCAP introduces mandatory pre-shipment inspection and certification, effectively shifting the system from post-arrival checks to pre-entry verification. He said the move would prevent substandard vehicles from entering the country while also reducing related economic and safety costs.
He added that the programme would improve regulatory efficiency, encourage fair competition, and support the development of a globally competitive automotive industry.
Both agencies emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend on strong collaboration among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), particularly those involved in trade facilitation, enforcement, and market surveillance. They urged stakeholders to align their processes to ensure effective implementation.
The workshop also served as a platform for stakeholders to clarify roles, strengthen inter-agency cooperation, and discuss strategies for the rollout of the programme.
Participants expressed confidence that VehCAP would enhance vehicle safety standards, protect consumers, and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to quality assurance and sustainable economic development.
