According to a report by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), 95 percent of auto spare parts imported into the country fail to meet the minimum acceptable standards.
This alarming revelation has ignited concerns among automotive professionals and stakeholders.
Yusuf Adah, Chairman of Automedics Motor International, emphasized the gravity of the issue, attributing the surge in substandard vehicle spare parts to unscrupulous dealers and importers within the industry.
Adah lamented the lack of commitment to excellence and integrity among these elements, making it exceedingly challenging to confront the problem effectively.
Adah also underscored the significance of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), despite their higher prices. He asserted that OEM parts prove their value over time by consistently delivering superior performance and safety.
“Car owners have several options to choose from. But it is very easy to differentiate between OEM and substandard spare parts,” Adah stated, reiterating the urgency of addressing this menace.
Moreover, Adah voiced concerns about customer satisfaction and the shortage of skilled talent within the Nigerian automobile industry.
He called for collective efforts to tackle these challenges and enhance the overall health of the sector.
Pankaj Bohhra, Chief Operating Officer of Fixit45, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the critical role of high-quality spare parts in prolonging the lifespan of vehicles and improving workshop efficiency.
He also highlighted skill gaps and infrastructure limitations as pressing issues hampering the sector’s growth.
The Nigeria Customs Service has recognized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to combat smuggling, a primary driver of counterfeit automotive spare parts in the country.
Their document titled “Enhancing the Role of Nigeria Customs Service and Fostering Collaborative Efforts with Stakeholders to Prevent the Inflow of Substandard or Counterfeit Spare Parts” outlines the formidable challenges in curbing this illicit trade.
As concerns grow over the safety and reliability of vehicles in Nigeria, industry experts are advocating for immediate action to combat the proliferation of substandard auto spare parts and safeguard the nation’s roadways.