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By Moses Akaigwe
The 2024 edition of NAJA (Nigerian Automotive Journalists Association) Awards celebrated excellence in the Nigerian automotive industry, with key players, including Globe Motors, Coscharis Motors, and Toyota, Weststar Associates, and Lanre Shittu (LSM) among the stakeholders honoured for their remarkable achievements.
The event, which held recently at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos, bestowed honours on various firms and individuals in different categories, ranging from vehicle innovation to service excellence.
On the night, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM) won both the High Capacity Bus Manufacturer and Car Assembly Plant of the Year, having been nominated in about three categories.
As Nigeria’s first indigenous auto manufacturer, Innoson was celebrated for its pioneering role in local vehicle production and its efforts to boost the Nigerian economy through job creation.
Globe Motors emerged the Most Resilient Company of the Year, while Coscharis Motors bagged the Multi-Luxury Brand of the Year. Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) and MD/CEO of Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) were honoured as Auto Company of the Decade and Auto Personality of the Year respectively.
Also, Toyota by CFAO won the Product Launch of the Year with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, while the founder of Chisco Transport, Dr Chidi Anyaegbu MFR, was recognised as Transport Icon of the Year. Mrs. Karima Okunola of Mikano Motors bagged the Auto Marketing Manager of the Year.
Not surprisingly, Chief Anyaegbu’s Chisco Transport was adjudged the Transport Company of the Year.
Chisco was the only company which beefed up its fleet with as many as 50 units brand new luxury and mini buses, in addition to adding new routes and enhancing it customer satisfaction measures.
The companies were lauded for their commitment to providing quality vehicles and satisfactory after-sales services, which have contributed to their impressive reputation in the Nigerian auto market over the years.
Also honoured was Honda West Africa Nigeria on a night when the most coveted Car of the Year award went to Mikano Motors for very successful Changan CS55.
Automotive analysts and industry insiders have praised the NAJA Auto Awards for its role in promoting innovation and competition within the sector.
David Oyebanji, an automotive expert, commended the awards for recognising not only the big names like Toyota but also the local players such as Innoson and Coscharis.
He highlighted the importance of local production in reducing Nigeria’s dependency on imported vehicles, noting, “Innoson’s contributions are particularly significant in the context of economic diversification, and it’s great to see their efforts acknowledged.”
Moreover, Shina Dare, a marketing consultant with expertise in the automotive sector, noted that the continued success of companies like Toyota, Mikano, Nord, GAC and many others is a testament to the resilience of the Nigerian automotive industry.
“Despite the challenges of inflation, currency volatility, and changing consumer behavior, these companies have continued to adapt and thrive. Their success stories are a model for other players in the sector,” he said.
In his speech, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma emphasized the growing importance of the automotive industry in Nigeria, recognizing the tremendous progress made by local and international players in the sector.
He acknowledged the significant role of the Nigerian automotive industry in economic diversification, job creation, and technological innovation, despite the challenges faced by the sector over the years.
“This year’s NAJA Auto Awards highlights not just the achievements of the big names in the industry, but also the rising stars who are shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive landscape,” Ochonma said.
“We are here to celebrate excellence, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of quality that defines the Nigerian automotive market.”
“Tonight, we celebrate the very best in the Nigerian automotive sector,” Ochonma concluded, “and we look forward to even greater achievements in the years ahead.”
With the NAJA Auto Awards gaining more recognition and credibility over the years, this year’s event not only celebrated excellence but also set the tone for the future of the Nigerian auto industry.
