Changan CS55 and Kia Seltos emerged as the standout winners at the 2025 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards, clinching Midsize SUV of the Year and Compact SUV of the Year honours respectively.
The awards were announced at a well-attended ceremony at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, which drew key players across Nigeria’s automotive value chain to celebrate excellence, innovation and resilience in the sector.
For Changan CS55, the win marked another major milestone. Fresh from being named Nigeria’s New Car of the Year at the 17th edition of the awards, the locally assembled crossover edged out strong rivals including the Kia Sonet and Chery Tiggo to claim the midsize SUV crown. Changan vehicles are marketed and assembled in Nigeria by Mikano Motors, underscoring the rising influence of local assembly in the industry.
In the compact SUV category, the Kia Seltos topped a competitive field that included the Toyota Prado, Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo. Industry analysts praised the Seltos for its bold styling, versatility and strong appeal to today’s urban and lifestyle-focused buyers.
Other corporate winners on the night included Mikano Group (Auto Company of the Year), Iron Products Industries (IPI) Limited (Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year), Lanre Shittu Motors (JAC) (Truck Plant of the Year) and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) (Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year), reflecting the growing depth of indigenous participation in Nigeria’s automotive space.
Speaking at the event, NADDC Director-General, Otunba Joseph Osanipin, commended NAJA for sustaining a credible platform that promotes excellence and accountability. NAJA Chairman, Mr Theodore Opara, described the awards as a key performance benchmark for an industry navigating policy reforms, technological shifts and evolving consumer expectations.
The 2025 NAJA International Auto Awards once again highlighted the brands and institutions driving Nigeria’s automotive and industrial transformation.
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