FG MOVES TO CURB USED VEHICLE IMPORTS, REVIVES 2016 AUTO POLICY.

AESNATIONTV NEWS.

Reporter: Martin Edor AKA Zino Martino. 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced renewed measures to reduce the importation of used vehicles, reinforcing its commitment to the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) launched in 2016. The move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen local vehicle manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign auto markets.

Government officials revealed that stricter controls on second-hand vehicle imports, alongside incentives for local auto assembly plants, will be implemented to encourage domestic production. The policy aims to stimulate job creation, attract investment, and enhance technical capacity within Nigeria’s automotive sector.

The NAIDP 2016 was designed to position Nigeria as a regional automotive hub, but its impact has been limited by the continued dominance of imported used cars, commonly known as tokunbo vehicles. With this renewed push, the FG hopes to reverse that trend and build a more sustainable auto industry.

Industry analysts note that while the policy could initially affect vehicle affordability, long-term benefits include improved vehicle quality, enhanced road safety, and economic diversification. Consumers are expected to gradually shift towards locally assembled vehicles as production capacity expands and financing options improve.

The FG maintains that the auto policy revival aligns with Nigeria’s industrialization and economic growth agenda, signaling a new phase for the country’s automotive industry.