The Federal Government has assured vehicle importers and the general public that the newly introduced Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP) will not disrupt trade or lead to delays at Nigerian ports.
In a joint statement, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) addressed concerns surrounding the rollout of the programme, particularly issues related to public awareness and the handling of non-certified vehicles at entry points.
The agencies explained that VehCAP is an enhancement of existing conformity assessment frameworks, aimed at improving safety, transparency, and efficiency in the automotive importation and production value chain.
They noted that the initiative is designed to ensure that both new and used vehicles imported into the country meet established Nigerian standards.
According to the statement, vehicles arriving without VehCAP certification will not be stranded at the ports. Instead, such vehicles will be allowed to undergo normal customs clearance procedures, after which they must be presented for mandatory destination inspection and in-country conformity verification at designated centres.
Upon successful verification, the necessary clearance documentation will be issued to enable vehicle registration and licensing.
The government emphasised that the primary objective of the programme is to safeguard lives and prevent the influx of substandard or unsafe vehicles into the Nigerian market.
To ease implementation, SON and NADDC disclosed that a 90-day transition window will be provided at the commencement of full enforcement.
During this period, vehicles without pre-shipment certification will still qualify for in-country conformity assessment, allowing importers time to adjust to the new requirements.
The agencies also announced plans for a nationwide sensitisation campaign to educate stakeholders, including importers, dealers, and regulators, on the new process and compliance obligations.
Reaffirming its commitment to a business-friendly environment, the Federal Government stated that VehCAP is structured to facilitate trade while ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards.
It also pledged continued engagement with stakeholders to ensure a smooth and inclusive implementation of the programme.
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