The Federal Government has banned the importation of accident-damaged vehicles into Nigeria with immediate effect as part of efforts to improve road safety and protect consumers, Peak Newspaper reports.
The directive forms part of a broader regulatory framework introduced under the Standard Organisation of Nigeria and National Automotive Design and Development Council Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme, which mandates strict compliance with safety and quality standards for all imported vehicles.
Under the new policy, all vehicles, both new and fairly used, must undergo pre-shipment inspection and obtain certification before being allowed into the country. Any vehicle that fails to meet the required standards, including accident-damaged units, will be denied entry, seized, or sanctioned.
Officials explained that the move effectively introduces a no certification, no entry regime, replacing the previous system where vehicles were often inspected after arrival, a loophole that allowed substandard and damaged vehicles into the Nigerian market.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, said the policy is now a full government directive aimed at integrating vehicle safety into Nigeria’s import system and reducing accidents linked to defective vehicles.
Relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps, have been directed to enforce compliance at all stages from import clearance to registration, ensuring that only certified and roadworthy vehicles are allowed on Nigerian roads.
The government maintains that the policy will significantly reduce the influx of unsafe vehicles, enhance consumer protection, and promote a more regulated automotive sector, despite concerns about possible increases in vehicle prices.
