NADDC, SON, NESREA Sign MoU to Strengthen Used Vehicle Import Regulations

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the regulation of used vehicle imports into Nigeria following the signing of a reviewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP).

The renewed agreement is expected to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and improve the assessment of imported used vehicles to ensure compliance with established safety, environmental and quality standards before they enter the Nigerian market.

VehCAP, officially launched on March 31, 2026, is a collaborative initiative designed to establish a coordinated framework for verifying the conformity of imported used vehicles with applicable Nigerian standards and regulations.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, said the programme brings together the respective mandates of the three agencies to establish a more effective system for regulating used vehicle imports.

He explained that while SON provides the standardisation and quality assurance framework, NESREA is responsible for environmental regulatory oversight, while NADDC contributes technical expertise in automotive development.

Osanipin commended personnel of the three agencies for their commitment and technical contributions to the programme, noting that the progress recorded so far demonstrates the importance of inter-agency collaboration in implementing regulatory reforms that protect the interests of Nigerians.

According to him, VehCAP is primarily aimed at protecting lives, safeguarding the environment and ensuring that Nigerians obtain value for money when purchasing imported used vehicles.

He noted that strengthening conformity assessment would help reduce the risks associated with unsafe and unroadworthy vehicles, minimise harmful vehicular emissions and protect consumers from substandard imports.

The NADDC chief executive consequently called for sustained cooperation among the participating agencies and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the programme and promote the development of a safer, cleaner and more structured automotive industry.

Also speaking, the Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, described the signing of the reviewed MoU as an important milestone in the implementation of VehCAP.

Okeke said the renewed agreement reflected the determination of the three institutions to strengthen their partnership, improve regulatory coordination and enhance protection for stakeholders across Nigeria’s automotive sector.

He explained that the reviewed MoU provides a stronger institutional framework for coordinating the activities of the agencies, adding that the success of the programme would depend largely on the quality of their collaboration and their ability to translate agreed commitments into practical results.

According to him, the signing of the agreement marks a transition towards a stronger implementation phase, with the participating institutions expected to work together to ensure that the programme achieves its objectives.

He also called for continued support from stakeholders and partner institutions as VehCAP progresses into its next phase.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NESREA, Professor Innocent Bariate Barikor, described VehCAP as an important national initiative that brings together vehicle standards, automotive development, environmental protection, public safety, consumer protection and regulatory enforcement.

Barikor stressed that effective collaboration among the three agencies was essential to establishing a reliable vehicle compliance system, noting that their respective regulatory responsibilities would complement one another in addressing challenges associated with used vehicle imports.

He highlighted the environmental significance of NESREA’s participation, explaining that vehicular emissions, air pollution, end-of-life vehicles and other environmental consequences of automotive activities require sustained regulatory attention.

According to him, ensuring that vehicles operating on Nigerian roads comply with applicable environmental standards is an important component of the country’s broader environmental protection efforts.

He further emphasised the need to consider environmental compliance throughout the automotive value chain, from vehicle production and usage to eventual disposal, to minimise pollution and promote sustainability.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight of imported used vehicles while supporting efforts to improve road safety, protect consumers and reduce the environmental consequences of poorly maintained or non-compliant vehicles.

The three agencies reiterated their commitment to placing the safety, welfare and interests of Nigerians at the centre of their regulatory interventions.

They maintained that effective implementation of VehCAP would help build greater confidence in Nigeria’s vehicle importation system, promote compliance with established standards and support the development of a more organised and sustainable automotive industry.