The Federal Government has rolled out a stricter check on imported vehicles, making it clear that any car, whether new or used, without proper certification will not be allowed into the country.

The policy, introduced under the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme, means vehicles must be cleared before they even leave their country of origin. Without that approval, they risk being turned back at the border or seized on arrival.

Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, said the rule is already in force, not a test run. According to him, the move is intended to cut down the number of unsafe vehicles finding their way onto Nigerian roads.

To ensure compliance, agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps have been tasked with enforcement at different points, from entry to road use.

The government believes the decision will help reduce accidents linked to faulty vehicles and improve overall standards in the auto sector. Still, there are concerns about how this could affect the cost and availability of used cars, popularly known as “tokunbo.”

For now, officials insist the focus is on safety first, even as conversations around affordability continue.