In what has been described as an endorsement of Nigeria’s growing automotive manufacturing sector, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has conducted an extensive tour of Elizade JAC Autoland’s facilities in Lagos, including the company’s headquarters and its expanded Ikotun assembly plant.
In a statement on Sunday, the company explained that during the tour of its Ikotun facility, Oduwole inspected two state-of-the-art assembly plants, including a single-track line dedicated to passenger vehicles and an innovative dual-track system for industrial vehicles.
According to the statement, the facility’s expansion represents a substantial increase in production capacity, positioning Elizade JAC to meet the growing demand for locally assembled vehicles.
“A central theme of both the ministerial visit and Elizade JAC’s strategic vision for 2026 is positively disrupting the Nigerian automotive market by making brand-new vehicles accessible to average citizens. Currently, Nigeria’s automotive landscape is dominated by used imported vehicles, commonly known as ‘tokunbo,’ which often come with hidden risks and questionable reliability,” the statement read in part.
Speaking during a media briefing, Oduwole said, “What has impressed me most is that the company’s management has signified its willingness to really be vested in its product and stand behind its product for the Nigerian people. This is a real commitment to making Nigeria work, which is the priority of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.”
The minister emphasised that the Federal Government is eager to support domestic investors like Elizade JAC, who are reinvesting profits into expanding their operations and increasing production capacity to serve the Nigerian market.
Oduwole warned of the dangers of used vehicle imports. “Nigerians are buying used goods that have been damaged elsewhere—damaged by flood, damaged by fire—refurbished and packaged with paint and shipped into Nigeria. They are essentially possible death traps if we are not careful. So we don’t want Nigerians buying substandard used goods that other countries have rejected,” she warned.
Commending the company’s investment in Nigeria, Oduwole added, “Industrialisation is a priority to the administration, and we are glad that we have businesses like this partnering with our administration to deliver for Nigerian people.”
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Elizade JAC Autoland Limited, Mr Demola Ade-Ojo, outlined the company’s ambitious plans.
“For 2026, that’s exactly what we are going to do. We want to begin to inform Nigerians so that they can begin to understand why it is actually beneficial to them and to the nation as a whole to drive new vehicles as opposed to used vehicles. Right now, the Nigerian market is still very low when it comes to new vehicle sales as opposed to used vehicle sales. So we are looking at how we can begin to have Nigerians enjoy using and owning new vehicles.”
The Executive Director of Sales at Elizade JAC Autoland Limited, Mr Biola Odukomaiya, emphasised the comprehensive nature of the company’s offering.
“We want to try as much as possible to encourage people to take advantage of this offering to the public, offering them lower-priced products and also giving them maintenance and service all as a package. You are buying the car; you are buying peace of mind,” Odukomaiya said.
Looking ahead, Elizade JAC’s leadership articulated an ambitious agenda for 2026 centred on public education and market disruption. The company recognises that shifting consumer preference from used imports to new domestic vehicles requires not just competitive pricing but also a comprehensive communication strategy.
The company’s 2026 campaign will emphasise the total cost of ownership, highlighting how the higher upfront cost of new vehicles is offset by lower maintenance expenses, greater reliability, better fuel efficiency, higher resale value, and the peace of mind that comes with comprehensive warranties and nationwide service support.
