The Federal Government has introduced the National Vehicle Dealership Registration Framework for car dealers, aiming to clean up Nigeria’s automotive market, enhance traceability, and open up financing options for industry participants.
The framework, presented by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in Abuja on Friday, implements a digital system requiring all car dealers to register and acquire a certificate that must be renewed annually.
During the keynote speech, NADDC Director General Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin stated that the framework signifies a shift from policy creation to actual implementation under the National Automotive Industry Development Plan 2023–2033. Osanipin explained that the system was designed following consultations with stakeholders in Uyo, Lagos, Kano, and Bauchi, where members of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) called for greater transparency, fairness, and the acknowledgment of professional dealers over informal operators.
He emphasized that the registration would not only fulfill regulatory obligations but also enable dealers to access credit support, market protection, and integration into a more organized automotive sector. “This framework is not merely an administrative milestone; it is the day we transition from planning to practice. By registering your dealership, you are doing more than fulfilling a requirement; you are positioning your business to benefit from credit support, market protection and inclusion in a structured automotive ecosystem,” he said.
The Director General further explained that the platform would serve as a digital repository capturing dealer identities, vehicle transactions, and supply chains, which would help authorities track stolen vehicles and shield buyers from fraudulent dealers. He also mentioned that the federal government would only engage with AMDON-certified dealers to promote the Nigeria First policy and strengthen the country’s position within the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Osanipin added that registered dealers would be connected with vehicle manufacturers to establish nationwide collaborations for after-sales services, ensuring ongoing maintenance support.
Prince Ajibola Adedoyin, the National President of AMDON, remarked that the registration would help tackle the issue of insecurity related to untraceable vehicles and improve dealers’ access to credit by fostering greater transparency and trust, making financing more accessible. He encouraged consumers to buy only from certified dealers. Adedoyin projected that within three to six months, most dealers would be registered, after which enforcement would become stricter, limiting access to the market for non-compliant dealers.