Zenith Bank Plc emerged as the standout honoree at Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s (TNL) 2025 Awards Night, securing the coveted Evergreen Customer of the Year Award in recognition of its consistent loyalty and record vehicle purchases over the past five years.
The prestigious event, held on Friday evening in Lekki, drew an array of customers, dealers, government officials, and media representatives to celebrate TNL’s achievements and reaffirm partnerships that have bolstered the company’s leadership in Nigeria’s automobile sector.
The highlight of the evening came when Zenith Bank was called to receive the Evergreen Customer of the Year Award for purchasing the highest number of Toyota vehicles from TNL dealerships between 2020 and 2024.
In a celebratory moment, Managing Director Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo presented Zenith Bank’s representatives with the keys to a brand-new Toyota Rumion valued at over N40 million.
“Your commitment to Toyota has been extraordinary, and we are honored to celebrate your long-standing support,” remarked Ade-Ojo. He emphasized that such steadfast patronage exemplifies the symbiotic relationship Toyota Nigeria seeks to build with its corporate clients and institutional partners.
“Zenith Bank’s dedication over the past five years has been instrumental to our growth, and tonight we recognize and reward that loyalty.”
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Runners-up in the Customer of the Year category included AGL Motors (first runner-up), which received N10 million; Mota Engil (second runner-up), awarded N7.5 million; and the Enugu State Government (third runner-up), which was presented with N5 million.
Each recipient accepted its prize to enthusiastic applause from fellow dealers and stakeholders, highlighting the spirit of healthy competition and mutual growth within Toyota’s expansive dealer network.
In keeping with TNL’s philosophy of celebrating all contributors to its ecosystem, the evening also recognized three standout automotive journalists for their exemplary work in 2024.
Theodore Opara, Motoring Editor at Vanguard Newspaper, was named Journalist of the Year for his incisive reporting on industry trends and continuous coverage of Toyota’s innovations.
Rasheed Bisiriyu, Automotive Correspondent at Newstrends, received the Most Influential Auto Journalist Award in acknowledgment of his in-depth analysis and thought leadership on vehicle technology and market developments.
Frank Kintum, Lead Writer at Transport Day, was honored with the Excellence in Auto Reporting Award for his investigative features on automotive policy and road safety.
Throughout the ceremony, several dealers and strategic partners lauded Toyota Nigeria’s investments in dealer development, training programs, and workshop facilities.
Mr. Chidi Okoye, Dealer Principal of Jos Motors Ltd., remarked, “Toyota’s continuous investment in dealer development has strengthened our capacity to serve customers. Tonight’s ceremony reaffirms why Toyota Nigeria remains our preferred partner in the automotive industry.”
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In addition to dealers, government representatives from the Ministries of Transportation and Industry, Trade & Investment commended TNL’s role in job creation and technology transfer. A senior official from the Federal Ministry of Industry lauded Toyota Nigeria as “a shining example of how multinational corporations can operate responsibly and catalyze local economic growth.”
Earlier in his keynote address, Managing Director Kunle Ade-Ojo paid heartfelt tribute to Toyota Nigeria’s broad network of patrons and strategic allies.
“We have come a long way together,” Ade-Ojo told an audience of over 500 guests. “Our relationship with our customers is one of mutual benefits and shared progress. We do not take your loyalty and patronage for granted, and we remain fully committed to continuously improving our operations and promptly responding to your evolving needs.”
Ade-Ojo also acknowledged the dedication of Toyota Nigeria’s employees, praising the “well-trained and committed workforce operating across all regions of this nation.”
He reminded attendees of TNL’s identity as a proudly Nigerian enterprise that has consistently fulfilled civic responsibilities and supported key government institutions.
“We have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s economy, not only by fulfilling our civic duties but also by supporting agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service,” he said, drawing applause for praising the Customs Service’s recent efforts at streamlining business operations.
Reaffirming Toyota Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to nation-building, Ade-Ojo declared, “We will always strive to fulfill our obligations to the government for the betterment of our dear country,” a statement that resonated with stakeholders who underscored the importance of public–private collaboration in driving economic progress.