FG Launches VehCAP, Which Ensures All Vehicles Are Certified Before Shipment Into Nigeria

VehCAP introduces a proactive system that ensures vehicles are inspected and certified before shipment into Nigeria.

Marks a shift from the previous “inspect after arrival” approach to a more effective “verify before entry” framework.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has launched the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP), as part of effort to improve the overall quality of vehicles entering Nigeria.

Unveiled in Abuja on 31st March 2026, the initiative responds to growing concerns over the importation of used vehicles without proper verification of safety, structural integrity, emissions performance, and lifecycle history.

According to a statement by NADDC, all new and used vehicles, as well as automotive products entering Nigeria, must obtain Shipment Certification under VehCAP prior to approval processes, including customs valuation, port processing, import clearance, and eventual market entry.

Speaking at the official launch of the VehCAP in Abuja, the Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, described the initiative as a testament to the power of collaboration between the two key institutions—NADDC and SON.

The Minister highlighted that the programme integrates vehicle safety into Nigeria’s broader economic policy framework, including fiscal instruments, foreign exchange management, import financing, and vehicle renewal systems, all aligned with safety and standardization objectives.

Also speaking on the initiative, NADDC boss, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, explained that VehCAP introduces a proactive system that ensures vehicles are inspected and certified before shipment into Nigeria, marking a critical shift from the previous “inspect after arrival” approach to a more effective “verify before entry” framework.

Under the initiative, NADDC will provide technical oversight, including vehicle classification, model verification, and alignment with national automotive policies, ensuring the programme supports both regulation and industry development.

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