By Lucy Ogalue
The Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, has inaugurated the SON–NADDC Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP), to mprove vehicle safety and regulatory compliance.
Enoh inaugurated the programme on Tuesday in Abuja, emphasising that vehicle safety and ststandards were critical to Nigeria’s industrial growth and public protection.
He said the policy required all new and used vehicles to obtain VehCAP certification before import clearance, registration, or licensing.
He said that non-compliance would attract seizure and sanctions.
The minister called for collective action across government agencies, including the Nigerian Customs Service, Central Bank, Federal Road Safety Corps, and state governments, to ensure strict enforcement.
“If we want porous borders, they will be porous; if not, cooperation is essential,” he said.
He said that the initiative not only protected Nigerians from unsafe vehicles, but also strengthened industrialisation, consumer confidence, and economic competitiveness.
The Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said the initiative represented a shift to a preventive, standards-driven system that ensured only compliant vehicles entered the Nigerian market.
According to Okeke, substandard automotive products pose risks to road safety, consumer protection and public confidence.
He stressed the need for stronger regulatory oversight.
He said VehCAP, developed in collaboration with National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), would enhance coordination, promote transparency and align Nigeria’s automotive standards with global best practices.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NADDC, Mr Joseph Osanipin, said the programme introduced a sector-specific framework to verify vehicle safety, emissions and structural integrity before shipment.
Osanipin said many imported vehicles entered the country without proper checks, contributing to accidents, environmental concerns and unfair competition for local manufacturers.
He said that VehCAP would shift regulation from post-arrival inspection to pre-entry verification, reducing risks and strengthening enforcement efficiency.
Stakeholders at the event emphasised the need for collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies to ensure effective implementation and achieve improved safety outcomes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
