Nigeria’s next Car of the Year will be announced on December 3, 2026, as the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) prepares to host the 19th edition of its annual automotive awards in Lagos, with manufacturers and distributors competing for recognition across the sector.
The ceremony will take place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, bringing together automobile manufacturers, vehicle assemblers, distributors and other industry stakeholders to recognise achievements in Nigeria’s automotive market.
Brandspur Brand News gathered that the Car of the Year award is expected to be among the major attractions, particularly following the emergence of the Jetour Dashing as the overall winner at the 2025 edition.
The competition comes at a time when Nigeria’s automotive industry is experiencing changes in vehicle technology, consumer preferences and energy choices. Growing interest in electric vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG) mobility and locally assembled vehicles has also expanded the areas attracting attention within the sector.
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Beyond the headline award, the 2026 ceremony will recognise contributions in vehicle manufacturing and assembly, commercial transportation, electric mobility, automotive distribution and after-sales services.
Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the organisers intended to maintain the professional standards of previous editions while recognising organisations and individuals making meaningful contributions to the automotive industry.
NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, also stressed the importance of a credible assessment process, noting that recognition should extend beyond established brands to include businesses and individuals whose investments, innovation and performance have delivered value to the sector.
The previous edition provides an indication of the competition awaiting this year’s nominees. At the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held on December 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, the Jetour Dashing defeated the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo to win Car of the Year.
Mikano Motors received the Auto Company of the Year award, while the Changan CS55 won Midsize SUV of the Year.
Other notable winners included Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility, which was recognised as Workshop of the Year. The Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hiace also won Pick-Up of the Year and Minibus of the Year, respectively.
In the commercial vehicle category, Dangote Sinotruk emerged Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, while Iron Products Industries Limited won Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year. Lanre Shittu Motors received the Truck Plant of the Year award, and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing was named Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.
The alternative-energy segment also featured prominently, with SAGLEV winning EV Brand of the Year and Jet Automobiles taking the CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year award. NORD Automobiles received recognition as the Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.
Carloha Nigeria won both Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year, while Winpart by CFAO emerged Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year.
For individual honours, NORD Automobiles Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatobi Ajayi, was named Auto Personality of the Year in the private-sector category. National Automotive Design and Development Council Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, received the corresponding public-sector recognition.
This year’s awards are expected to draw attention to how businesses are responding to persistent consumer concerns, including vehicle prices, maintenance expenses, fuel efficiency, availability of genuine spare parts and the long-term cost of owning a vehicle.
With the December ceremony approaching, the central contest will be which manufacturer produces the vehicle that earns the automotive industry’s most closely watched recognition and takes the Car of the Year title from the Jetour Dashing.
