FG introduces “no certification, no entry” rule for imported vehicles

The Federal Government has unveiled a regulatory regime that will bar all imported vehicles from entering Nigeria without prior certification, in a move aimed at improving road safety and curbing the influx of substandard automobiles.

The policy, tagged 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” rule for all new and used vehicles entering the country.

Speaking at a stakeholders sensitisation workshop on Tuesday in Abuja, John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, said the programme has now become a full government policy rather than a pilot initiative.

“I want to clarify again that this is not a proposal or a pilot. This has become government policy and takes immediate effect upon commencement,” he said.

Under the new regime, all vehicles must obtain pre-shipment certification before they can be processed for importation into Nigeria. Enoh explained that compliance with the certification requirement would be mandatory at every stage of the import process, including Form M approval, customs valuation, port processing, and final clearance.

“With effect from the commencement of this SON-NADDC VehCAP, all new and used vehicles and automotive products entering Nigeria must obtain pre-shipment certification before import clearance and market entry,” he stated.

He added that any vehicle that fails to meet the requirements would be denied entry, seized, or subjected to sanctions in line with applicable laws.

“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,” he said.

The minister noted that the policy is designed to address rising cases of road accidents linked to substandard and poorly maintained vehicles, stressing that stricter enforcement of safety standards is long overdue.

“We did not arrive here by accident. Too many Nigerians have died from accidents caused by vehicles that fell short of required standards. Nigeria deserves better, and this government is determined to deliver better,” he said.

Enoh, however, acknowledged concerns about the potential impact of the policy on the importation of used vehicles, popularly known as “Tokunbo,” urging a balanced approach that considers economic realities and local production capacity.

He said the implementation of the programme would involve key government agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

According to him, the Customs Service will ensure that no vehicle is cleared without valid certification, while the CBN will align foreign exchange approvals with compliance requirements.

“For Customs, no vehicle should proceed to clearance without a valid certificate. Non-compliant consignments must be detained or re-exported. For the CBN, import financing instruments must be conditional on valid certification,” he said.

He added that the FRSC would integrate certification into vehicle registration and enforcement systems, while state governments are expected to align their registration frameworks to prevent non-compliant vehicles from being licensed.

Enoh urged Nigerians to view the policy not as an added burden but as a necessary intervention to save lives, protect consumers, and strengthen the country’s industrial and regulatory framework.

“This should not be seen as a burden, but as a corrective measure aimed at protecting Nigerians and ensuring that only vehicles that meet required standards are allowed into the country,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, said the programme represents a shift from post-import inspection to pre-entry verification.

“VehCAP shifts our system from ‘inspect after arrival’ to ‘verify before entry.’ Once a substandard vehicle enters the country, the cost of control, both economic and human, becomes significantly higher,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria’s automotive market, one of the largest in Africa, has long been challenged by the influx of poorly verified used vehicles.

“Many vehicles enter without adequate checks on safety conditions, emissions performance, and lifecycle history. This has led to mechanical failures, increased accident severity, and circulation of substandard components,” he added.

In his remarks, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, said the initiative would strengthen regulatory oversight and improve consumer protection.

“The programme introduces a more structured, preventive, and standards-driven approach. It ensures that only products that meet established requirements are allowed into circulation,” he said.

He added that the new framework would enhance transparency, promote fair competition, and support Nigeria’s industrial growth.

The VehCAP programme builds on the existing SON Conformity Assessment Programme but introduces a sector-specific framework tailored to the complexities of the automotive industry.

Under the new system, vehicles will be assessed and certified in their country of export before shipment to Nigeria.

The policy is expected to improve road safety, reduce environmental risks, protect consumers, and create a more competitive environment for local automotive assembly.