FG enforces 'no certification, no entry' policy for imported vehicles

By Ejire Folakunmi

The Federal Government has introduced a strict "No Certification, No Entry" policy for imported vehicles, including both new and used (tokunbo) cars, as part of efforts to improve road safety and curb the influx of substandard vehicles into the country.

Under the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and 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 Sen. John Owan Enoh confirmed that the policy is now fully in effect and not a trial phase, stating 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 (NCS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The government, under Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the initiative is aimed at reducing road accidents linked to unsafe vehicles and raising standards within the automotive sector. Officials acknowledged concerns about affordability but maintained that the policy seeks to balance safety with access to imported vehicles.

While concerns remain about the impact on the tokunbo market, officials said the goal is to strike a balance between affordability and safety, reassuring stakeholders that the certification process is designed to be accessible rather than prohibitive.