Pat Stevens/
The Federal Government has effectively barred the importation of accident-damaged vehicles into Nigeria, enforcing stricter standards for fairly used cars as part of a broader push to improve road safety and protect consumers.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, requires all imported vehicles to meet defined safety, environmental and quality benchmarks before they are allowed into the country.
Authorities say the move is aimed at curbing the influx of substandard vehicles, particularly accident-damaged units, which have long raised concerns over safety on Nigerian roads.
Under the new framework, all vehicles must undergo pre-shipment inspection and certification, in line with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria and the National Automotive Design and Development Council’s Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme.
Any vehicle that fails to meet the prescribed standards will be denied entry.
Officials explained that the policy introduces a strict compliance regime, effectively creating a “no certification, no entry” system.
This marks a shift from previous practices where vehicles could be inspected after arrival, a gap that often allowed defective cars into the market.
The government said fairly used vehicles, commonly referred to as “tokunbo”, must now satisfy minimum requirements covering structural integrity, emissions, and general roadworthiness before approval for importation.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, said the reform is designed to integrate vehicle safety into the country’s import and regulatory systems, ensuring that only compliant vehicles are financed, cleared, and registered for use.
He added that the measure is also intended to strengthen consumer protection and promote a more transparent and regulated automotive market, while discouraging the dumping of defective vehicles in Nigeria.
Relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps, have been mandated to enforce compliance at various stages, from import clearance to road use.
Industry analysts say the policy could significantly reduce the number of unsafe vehicles on Nigerian roads if strictly implemented, although concerns remain about potential increases in vehicle costs for consumers.
Despite those concerns, authorities insist the long-term benefits, particularly in reducing accidents linked to mechanical failure, outweigh the immediate impact, positioning the directive as one of the most decisive steps in recent years to sanitise Nigeria’s vehicle import sector.
0Related posts:
‘Private Vehicle Does Not Require Road Worthiness Certificate’
EMMAN Urges FG to Review Levies on Imported Finished Electricity Meters
FG Presents Buhari’s Scorecard
Auto Theft: Court Orders Forfeiture of 36 out of 350 Cars Stolen from Canada Found in Nigeria …Stolen Vehicles for Sale on www.jiji.com, at Lekki, Ojodu-Berger
Why Abia Women Prefer Fairly-used Underwear
United States Postal Workers Dying in Heat Waves