FG Sets New Standards For Vehicle Components

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all vehicles and components in Nigeria meet the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP) safety standards, aiming to reduce risks associated with substandard automotive products. According to Ireporter Online, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Sen. John Enoh, explained that VehCAP provides clear, transparent, and internationally recognized requirements that facilitate trade and offer predictable market access for importers, original equipment manufacturers, and local producers.

Sen. Enoh highlighted that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) jointly lead the VehCAP initiative, providing a unified regulatory framework to guide vehicle and component safety. The minister made the remarks at a sensitization workshop in Abuja themed “Certified Automobile Products, Safer Nigerian Roads,” emphasizing the campaign slogan: “No Certification, No Entry.”

Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General of SON, noted that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic revitalization, industrial competitiveness, and the protection of lives and livelihoods. He added that VehCAP strengthens regulatory oversight, improves standards, and safeguards the Nigerian market from unsafe imports.

NADDC Director-General, Oluwemimo Osanipin, emphasized that Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest automotive markets but faces challenges as many imported vehicles, particularly used cars, enter without proper verification of safety, structural integrity, and emissions performance. He warned that substandard components circulating in the system disadvantage local manufacturers and increase accident risks, asserting that the government must decisively address these challenges.