The Federal Government has officially banned the importation of all vehicles, both new and used without pre-shipment certification, in what it describes as a decisive move to improve road safety and end Nigeria’s status as a dumping ground for substandard automobiles.
The policy, known as the SON-NADDC Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP), enforces a strict “no certification, no entry” rule and takes immediate effect. It was announced at a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop in Abuja on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh.
“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 new and used vehicles must obtain VehCAP certification before import clearance, registration, or licensing. Non-compliance will attract seizure and sanctions.
Unlike previous approaches that focused on post-arrival inspections, the new system ensures that vehicles are assessed before shipment and that compliance with automotive-specific standards is verified prior to entry into Nigeria.
NADDC Director-General Joseph Osanipin described the shift as fundamental: “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.”
Multiple agencies will be responsible for enforcement, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Nigerian Ports Authority.
Enoh linked the high number of road accidents in Nigeria directly to the influx of defective 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.”
The NADDC Director also noted that the programme would create a more predictable and equitable operating environment, where clearer expectations and internationally aligned practices promote compliance, support legitimate trade, and encourage responsible business conduct.
