The Federal Government has introduced a strict new policy banning the importation of all vehicles both new and used into Nigeria without pre-shipment certification.
The policy, known as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria–National Automotive Design and Development Council Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (SON-NADDC VehCAP), enforces a “no certification, no entry” rule and takes immediate effect.
Announcing the measure at a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop in Abuja on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, said the programme is now official government policy.“This is not a proposal or a pilot. This has become government policy and takes immediate effect upon commencement,” Enoh stated.
Under the new regime, all vehicles must obtain pre-shipment certification before Form M approval, customs valuation, processing, clearance, or market entry.“No vehicle or automotive product shall be imported, cleared, registered or licensed without valid certification. Any non-compliant import shall be subject to refusal of clearance, seizure, or sanctions under applicable laws,” the minister warned.
Enoh explained that the policy integrates vehicle safety into Nigeria’s broader economic framework, aligning fiscal instruments, foreign exchange, and revenue systems with safety standards. Multiple agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Nigerian Ports Authority, will enforce the requirements.
The minister acknowledged the economic realities surrounding used vehicle imports (popularly called “Tokunbo”) but stressed the need for a balanced approach while strictly enforcing existing age limits on imported vehicles.He linked the high number of road accidents in Nigeria to substandard vehicles, saying: “Too many Nigerians have died from accidents caused by vehicles that fell short of required standards. Nigeria deserves better, and this government is determined to deliver better.”
Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, described the programme as a shift from post-import inspection to pre-entry verification.“VehCAP shifts our system from ‘inspect after arrival’ to ‘verify before entry.’ Once a substandard vehicle enters the country, the cost of control, both economic and human, becomes significantly higher,” he said.
Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said the initiative would strengthen regulatory oversight, promote fair competition, and protect consumers.
The policy is expected to improve road safety, reduce environmental pollution from poorly maintained vehicles, support local automotive assembly, and align Nigeria’s vehicle import system with global best practices.
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