The event, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, celebrated leadership, innovation and local capacity development across the automotive value chain, with top honours split between the public and private sectors.
In the public sector category, the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Joseph Osanipin, was named Auto Personality of the Year (Public Sector). The award acknowledged his strategic leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s automotive industry for sustainable growth.
NAJA cited Osanipin’s role in strengthening policy frameworks, encouraging local vehicle assembly and advancing alternative energy solutions as key factors behind the recognition. Under his stewardship, the NADDC has prioritised policy advocacy, industry development, capacity building for domestic value chains, and initiatives promoting green mobility in line with Nigeria’s energy transition objectives.
In his acceptance remarks, Osanipin commended NAJA for its role in shaping industry narratives and promoting transparency, innovation and accountability. He also emphasised the importance of automotive journalism in informing the public and influencing policy, calling for closer collaboration between government and the media to accelerate industry growth.
On the private sector front, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nord Motors, Oluwatobi Ajayi, clinched the Auto Personality of the Year (Private Sector) award, reinforcing his influence within Nigeria’s evolving automotive landscape.
Ajayi’s career trajectory—from Mercedes-Benz Nigeria, where he rose to Head of Vans Division, through the co-founding of Jetvan, to leading Nord Motors—reflects a combination of technical expertise and entrepreneurial drive. His leadership has been defined by a strong commitment to local manufacturing, technological innovation and indigenous brand development in a market traditionally dominated by imports.
Among his notable achievements are the launch of Tavet Motion, an electric vehicle subsidiary, and the unveiling of three locally assembled electric vehicle models—Luto, Garent and Vant—marking a significant step in Nigeria’s push towards sustainable mobility.
Industry stakeholders say Ajayi’s recognition highlights the growing role of private-sector innovators in redefining mobility in Africa through advanced engineering, job creation and forward-looking business models.
Beyond the personality awards, the 2025 NAJA Auto Awards honoured excellence across several categories. Jetour Dashing emerged as Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year, while Mikano International was named Auto Company of the Year. Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility received the Workshop of the Year award.
Indigenous manufacturers, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing and Iron Products Industries Limited, were also recognised, underscoring the increasing strength of local assembly and production. Electric vehicle-focused brands and new market entrants featured prominently, reflecting growing attention on future mobility solutions.
The awards come at a critical moment for the Nigerian auto sector as it aligns with national priorities on industrialisation, job creation and sustainable transportation. With government commitments towards zero-emission vehicles by 2040 and increasing emphasis on local electric vehicle production, the industry is undergoing rapid transformation.
The recognition of Osanipin and Ajayi reflects a dual narrative of policy leadership and private-sector innovation—two forces widely seen as central to shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry.