NAJA Sets December 3 for Nigeria Auto Industry Awards 19th Edition

The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has fixed Thursday, December 3, 2026, for the grand finale of its 19th annual automotive awards, with organisers promising a bigger and more prestigious celebration of excellence in Nigeria’s automobile industry.

The awards ceremony, scheduled to hold at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, is expected to attract leading automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers, financial institutions, policymakers, motoring enthusiasts and other stakeholders across the automotive value chain.

The organisers said the 2026 edition was being planned to surpass previous editions in scale, organisation and glamour, while preserving the credibility, transparency and professional standards for which the NAJA Awards have become known.

Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was determined to deliver a ceremony that would reflect the growing importance of the automotive industry to Nigeria’s economy.

According to Kintum, the awards have evolved into an important platform for recognising individuals, brands and organisations whose contributions have helped advance the automobile sector.

He said the 19th edition would be “bigger and more glamorous” than previous editions, adding that the committee was working to ensure that every aspect of the ceremony reflected the quality, innovation and achievements of the industry.

The awards evaluation process, according to the organisers, will cover products, brands, companies and personalities across various segments of the automotive industry, with winners determined in line with approved NAJA awards criteria and modalities.

Chairman of NAJA, Theodore Opara, said the essence of the awards was not simply to celebrate the biggest players in the market, but to recognise individuals and organisations that had demonstrated measurable excellence and made meaningful contributions to the development of the sector.

Opara said the credibility of the NAJA Awards had continued to strengthen because of the professionalism and objectivity associated with its judging and evaluation process.

He noted that the Nigerian automotive industry was passing through a period of significant transformation, driven by technological advancement, electric mobility, local manufacturing, changing consumer preferences and evolving government policies.

Against this backdrop, he said the 2026 NAJA Awards would provide an opportunity to celebrate companies, brands and individuals who were contributing to the transformation and future development of the industry.

The organisers urged automobile brands, industry players and other stakeholders to participate actively in the awards process, stressing that the initiative remained an important platform for promoting excellence, innovation and professionalism within Nigeria’s automotive sector.

The December 3 ceremony is expected to bring together the industry’s leading lights for an evening of recognition, networking and celebration as NAJA marks another milestone in its longstanding role of promoting excellence in Nigeria’s motoring and automotive industry.

By Mike Ochonma
Editor