The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a stringent policy prohibiting the importation of all vehicles—both new and used—without pre-shipment certification.
The directive, termed the Standard Organisation of Nigeria–National Automotive Design and Development Council Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (SON-NADDC VehCAP), establishes a strict ‘no certification, no entry’ requirement with immediate effect.
The measure is intended to curb the entry of unsafe and substandard automobiles, ensuring that no vehicle enters Nigeria without proper certification.
The policy was formally introduced during a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop convened by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Automotive Design and Development Council, held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, stated that the program has been adopted as official government policy. “This is not a proposal or a pilot. This has become government policy and takes immediate effect upon commencement,” he said.
Under the new framework, all vehicles are required to secure pre-shipment certification before proceeding with Form M approval, customs valuation, processing, clearance, or entry into the market. “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 added.
Enoh further emphasized that the policy embeds vehicle safety within Nigeria’s wider economic framework, aligning fiscal measures, foreign exchange policies, and revenue systems with established safety standards. Enforcement will be carried out by multiple agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Ports Authority.
He also acknowledged the economic importance of used vehicle imports while affirming the importance of a balanced approach, underscoring that existing age restrictions on imported vehicles will be strictly upheld.
The policy is expected to enhance regulatory compliance, facilitate legitimate trade, and strengthen consumer confidence, while providing a more stable and predictable operating environment for industry participants.
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