Why Chinese trucks now dominate Nigeria’s roads – Taiwo Shittu

Chinese-made trucks are now dominating Nigeria’s roads, outpacing Western brands, thanks to cost advantages, improving quality, and strategic distribution, according to Taiwo Shittu, Managing Director of Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM).

Shittu, in an interview with a local newspaper, revealed that one Western truck can cost the same as four Chinese-made units, a ratio that has drastically shifted buyer behavior. “Gone are the days when Chinese trucks were dismissed as inferior,” he said. “They now perform excellently, from Lagos to Gombe, and provide a much higher return on investment.”

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The shift is not only reshaping Nigeria’s truck market but also redefining value perception. Chinese brands, once labelled “upcoming,” now account for the majority of LSM’s sales. Shittu says the trucks sold 11 years ago are still operating efficiently across the country. In 2024 alone, Chinese trucks led the sales charts, driven by economic realities, currency devaluation, and a national appetite for cost-efficiency.

Calls for Government Action on Nigeria’s Auto Policy

Speaking further, Shittu noted that Nigeria’s auto sector can thrive if the government revives and legislates a robust automotive policy. “We need full return to the national auto policy and special waivers for CKD and SKD assemblers,” he said. According to him, extending similar incentives offered to CNG and electric vehicle manufacturers could slash local vehicle prices by 17.5% and revive dormant assembly plants.

He applauded President Bola Tinubu’s recent push for compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles as a step in the right direction but insisted that a clear, investor-friendly legal framework is essential to attract Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and transform Nigeria into West Africa’s automotive hub.

“We don’t need free money,” Shittu said. “We need policy stability, something investors can trust.”

New Assembly Plant and Legacy Expansion Plans

Despite multiple tax burdens and competition from unstructured importers, LSM is moving ahead with its expansion. The company plans to complete a new 40,000-square-meter plant in Lagos by early next year, nearly 10 times the size of its current facility.

LSM, known for distributing JAC heavy-duty trucks and its own proprietary brand, is banking on local assembly to lower costs and create jobs. “We’ve stabilised the company, but our vision is much bigger,” Shittu said, attributing his drive to the legacy of his late father and founder of the business.

As banks shy away from auto loans due to past defaults, LSM continues to innovate financing options internally. “Auto investment is capital intensive,” Shittu noted. “But with vision and structure, it is also rewarding.”