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LAGOS – The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has launched a comprehensive digital dealership registration system aimed at sanitising Nigeria’s automotive industry, marking a significant shift towards transparency, accountability, and standardisation across the sector.
The initiative, formally known as the National Vehicle Dealership Registration Framework, was unveiled at a well-attended ceremony held at Ibeto Hotels, where stakeholders described the development as a transformative milestone in the evolution of the country’s automotive marketplace.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, characterised the framework as a decisive move from policy formulation to practical implementation.
He noted that the digital platform is designed to restructure dealership operations by eliminating irregularities and fostering a more organised and professional ecosystem.
According to Osanipin, the platform introduces a data-driven system that will ensure proper documentation, traceability, and verification of automobile dealers nationwide.
He emphasised that the initiative would not only enhance regulatory oversight but also instil greater confidence among investors and consumers.
The Director-General disclosed that the framework was the product of extensive consultations with industry stakeholders across major commercial hubs, including Uyo, Lagos, Kano, and Bauchi.
He highlighted the pivotal role played by the Automobile Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) in shaping the structure of the system, ensuring that it reflects the realities and operational challenges faced by dealers across different regions.
Osanipin further explained that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s long-term industrial strategy under the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP 2023–2033), which seeks to position Nigeria as a leading automotive manufacturing and distribution hub in Africa.
He added that the framework is also designed to support compliance with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by establishing uniform dealership standards nationwide.
Under the new system, registered dealers are expected to benefit from improved access to financing through institutions such as the Bank of Industry, as well as eligibility for government procurement opportunities.
The framework also offers protection under the Nigeria First policy, thereby prioritising locally recognised and compliant operators.
In his remarks, the National President of AMDON, Ajibola Adedoyin, lauded the NADDC leadership for initiating what he described as long-overdue reforms within the automotive sector.
He observed that dealers have struggled with regulatory inconsistencies and structural bottlenecks for over a decade, expressing optimism that the new system would address these longstanding challenges.
Adedoyin further noted that the formalisation and verification of dealership operations would enhance industry credibility, protect legitimate businesses from unfair competition, and create a more conducive environment for sustainable growth.
Stakeholders at the event unanimously described the National Vehicle Dealership Registration Framework as a landmark achievement capable of reshaping the Nigerian automotive landscape.
