Weststar Associates Chairman, Chief Benson Uwatse, is set to enter an exclusive circle of Nigeria’s automotive heavyweights, following his nomination for the Nigeria Auto Legend Award by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).
The recognition puts the Mercedes-Benz industry veteran in line to become only the third recipient of the honour, joining Toyota Nigeria Chairman, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, and Coscharis Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cosmas Maduka.
Uwatse will be honoured at the 19th Nigeria Auto Industry Awards, scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
His nomination turns the spotlight on a career spanning more than three decades of involvement with Mercedes-Benz—a journey encompassing premium vehicle distribution, customer relations, dealership leadership and brand development in Nigeria.
As Chairman of Weststar Associates Limited, the authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, Uwatse occupies an influential position in a market where luxury badges command attention, but sustained customer confidence depends on the business behind them.
Weststar’s responsibilities stretch beyond showroom sales. The company coordinates Mercedes-Benz business activities covering passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trucks and buses, alongside dealer support, marketing, training, genuine spare parts, warranties and after-sales services.
Having commenced operations in February 2008, Weststar assumed responsibility for Mercedes-Benz sales and after-sales operations in Nigeria, supporting customers through its distribution network and authorised dealerships.
Uwatse’s experience also includes serving as Managing Director of MB Automobile Services Limited, an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealership in Nigeria.
The Auto Legend honour recognises contributions extending beyond everyday business success to the growth and advancement of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
Its previous recipients underline the weight of the recognition.
Ade.Ojo, founder of Elizade Nigeria Limited and Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, became the first recipient in 2017, following decades of investment and enterprise that helped shape Nigeria’s automobile business.
Maduka built Coscharis from a modest automobile trading venture into one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous conglomerates. Under his leadership, Coscharis Motors secured franchises for globally recognised brands, including BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and Ford.
Uwatse’s selection adds another longstanding industry figure to that distinguished roll, bringing Mercedes-Benz representation and premium automotive services into the spotlight.
For NAJA, the recognition reinforces its celebration of the individuals whose enterprise, leadership and staying power have helped drive the industry’s evolution.
The December ceremony will bring together manufacturers, distributors, dealers, policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders to recognise outstanding achievements across Nigeria’s automotive and transportation sectors-with Uwatse’s entry into the legends’ league among the evening’s major attractions.
©Copyright MOTORING WORLD INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved. Materials, photographs, illustrations and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior written permission from Motoring World International
Contact: editor@motoringworldng.com
