NAJA Awards 2026: Race for Car of the Year, top auto honours begins

Nigeria’s leading automobile brands, manufacturers, distributors and industry players are set to compete for top honours as nominations open for the 19th annual Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 3, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, where outstanding brands, organisations and individuals across the automotive industry will be recognised.

The Car of the Year category is expected to attract significant attention, alongside awards covering vehicle assembly, commercial transportation, alternative-energy mobility, after-sales services and contributions to the development of Nigeria’s automotive sector.

The event will bring together automobile manufacturers, dealers, financial institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders at a time when the industry is experiencing changes driven by evolving consumer preferences, vehicle electrification, compressed natural gas (CNG) adoption and renewed interest in local vehicle assembly.

Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was committed to delivering an event that reflects the growing importance of the automotive industry.

He described the awards as a platform for recognising brands, organisations and individuals whose achievements have contributed to the sector’s development.

Kintum said the 19th edition would be bigger and more glamorous than previous ceremonies while maintaining the credibility and professional standards associated with the awards.

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According to the organisers, nominees will be assessed across relevant categories, with winners determined in line with the association’s approved evaluation procedures.

NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the awards go beyond celebrating major market players to recognise organisations and individuals demonstrating excellence and making meaningful contributions to the automotive ecosystem.

He added that the credibility of the evaluation process had strengthened the awards’ relevance among industry stakeholders.

The competition follows a closely contested 2025 edition, where the Jetour Dashing emerged Nigeria’s Car of the Year at the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards held on December 16 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Jetour Dashing defeated the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo to secure the top prize, highlighting the growing competition among brands seeking to attract Nigerian buyers through design, technology, performance and value.

Mikano Motors won Auto Company of the Year, while its Changan CS55 emerged Midsize SUV of the Year. Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility won Workshop of the Year, with the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hiace taking Pick-Up of the Year and Minibus of the Year, respectively.

Other winners included Dangote Sinotruk as Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, Iron Products Industries Limited as Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year, Lanre Shittu Motors as Truck Plant of the Year and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing as Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.

In alternative-energy mobility, SAGLEV won EV Brand of the Year, while Jet Automobiles received the CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year award. NORD Automobiles was named Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.

Carloha Nigeria secured the Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year awards, while Winpart by CFAO won Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year for parts and workshop services.

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NORD Automobiles Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatobi Ajayi, emerged Auto Personality of the Year in the private-sector category, while National Automotive Design and Development Council Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, received the public-sector honour.

The 2026 awards come amid growing attention to electric vehicles, CNG-powered transportation, local manufacturing, after-sales support and government policies shaping Nigeria’s automotive market.

Organisers said the awards would recognise achievements across the industry’s value chain, from passenger and commercial vehicles to assembly plants, service providers and emerging mobility technologies.

As nominations progress, industry attention will focus on the brands and personalities seeking to build on the achievements of previous winners when the 19th edition holds in Lagos on December 3.