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By Moses Akaigwe
Chairman and CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), Nnewi, Dr. Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, CON, has been honoured by Motoring World magazine for his invaluable contributions to the development of the country’s automotive industry.
Chief Chukwuma, who was represented at the awards ceremony, was honoured with the ‘Motoring World Automobile Industrialisation Icon Award’ on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during the magazine’s 30th anniversary celebration at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Similarly honoured was Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, the Managing Director of Dana Motors, assemblers of Kia vehicles in Nigeria.
At the ceremony, the organisers noted that, as Nigeria’s premier indigenous automotive manufacturer, which commenced operations in 2010, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company has recorded numerous achievements despite the many challenges facing the industry.
Fondly known as the “Pride of African Roads,” Innoson sets itself apart by manufacturing a wide range of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, pick-up trucks, buses (mini, medium, and high-capacity, etc.), as well as electric vehicles—all with a high percentage of local content.
Innoson has the distinction of being the first automaker in Nigeria to commence the production of vehicles that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), even before the Federal Government’s initiatives.
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The automaker is putting finishing touches to the construction of a multibillion-naira plant in Nnewi that will focus exclusively on manufacturing CNG, LNG and electric vehicles.
Innoson has also exported vehicles to neighbouring West African countries, such as Ghana, Mali and Sierra Leone.
Hathiramani’s ‘Motoring World’s Automotive Enterprise Leadership Award’ was received on his behalf by Sajid Saifi, General Manager, Sales, Kia Motors Nigeria, who was accompanied by Omolade Akinyode, the company’s Marketing Manager.
Guests were informed by the Kia Motors Nigeria representatives that, as conversations around cleaner energy, rising fuel costs, and sustainable transportation continue, the company has been playing a major role as one of the drivers of electric vehicle adoption and green mobility solutions in the country.
According to the Marketing Manager, for over 25 years, Kia Motors Nigeria has earned a strong reputation for the durability, fuel efficiency, innovation, and customer-focused nature of its mobility solutions.
Today, according to Akinyode, Kia is expanding that legacy into the electric vehicle space, helping Nigerians gain easier access to EV technology and alternative energy transportation.
She disclosed that the automaker is investing heavily in mobility infrastructure, local vehicle assembly, and flexible ownership solutions aimed at accelerating EV adoption across Nigeria.
Kia Motors Nigeria is also a verified EV assembler and certified CNG conversion centre in Nigeria, which, many guests observed, underscores its commitment to sustainable transportation and reduced carbon emissions.
