The Federal Government has introduced a strict “No Certification, No Entry” policy for imported vehicles, including both new and used, popularly known as “Tokunbo” cars, as part of efforts to improve road safety and curb the influx of substandard vehicles.
Under the Standard Organisation of Nigeria National Automotive Design and Development Council Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP), all vehicles must obtain pre-shipment certification before being approved for importation, customs clearance, and entry into the Nigerian market.
Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, confirmed that the policy is now fully in effect and not a trial phase. He explained that any vehicle that fails to meet certification requirements will be denied entry, seized, or sanctioned.
The policy will be enforced by relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The Government, led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, says the initiative is aimed at reducing road accidents caused by unsafe vehicles and improving standards in the automotive sector.
Officials acknowledge concerns about affordability but maintain that the policy seeks to balance safety with access to imported vehicles.
While concerns remain about the impact on used vehicles “Tokunbo”, officials say the goal is to strike a balance between affordability and safety.
