Kemi Koyejo’s Automotive Leadership Earns Her Woman of the Year Honour
By Daphne Uduneje
The growing influence of women in Nigeria’s automotive industry has received fresh recognition with the emergence of Kemi Koyejo, Chief Executive Officer of New Era Autovehicle Services Limited, as Automotive Woman of the Year.
Koyejo, a veteran automotive marketing executive and road safety advocate with more than three decades of industry experience, received the award at the 30th Anniversary Legacy Leadership Lecture and Expo in Lagos, an event celebrating 30 years of Julie Chi-Nwaoha’s reporting of the transportation sector and a decade of On The Highway Africa.
The award, presented by Pastor Segun Akintan, Zonal Coordinator, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Special Marshal, Lagos and Ogun Zone, recognises Koyejo’s contributions to automotive marketing, customer engagement, road safety advocacy and the advancement of inclusive leadership in the sector.
Her recognition also reflects the evolving nature of automotive retailing in Nigeria, where competition increasingly extends beyond vehicle sales to customer experience, ownership financing, after-sales support and the growing transition towards cleaner mobility solutions.
Through New Era Autovehicle Services Limited, Koyejo has established herself in the country’s automotive retail market as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s first exclusive JETOUR dealership. The company is an authorised dealer of JETOUR vehicles in partnership with Jetour Nigeria, the brand’s official distributor in the country.
Under her leadership, the dealership has embraced an approach to automotive marketing that places greater emphasis on experiential engagement and the overall ownership journey.
This includes competitive pricing, flexible financing arrangements, comprehensive after-sales support and vehicle leasing options, reflecting a broader understanding of the factors shaping purchasing decisions in an increasingly competitive automobile market.
Beyond conventional vehicle sales, Koyejo’s recognition also highlights her interest in the future of mobility, particularly the growing relevance of hybrid and electric vehicles in the transition towards more sustainable transportation.
Her advocacy for greater inclusion and leadership opportunities for women in the automotive industry further distinguishes her contribution to a sector traditionally dominated by men.
Speaking after receiving the award, Koyejo congratulated Chi-Nwaoha on reaching the milestone, describing her three-decade journey in transportation journalism as a testament to resilience, consistency and commitment.
“I’ve known Julie for almost three decades. I congratulate her and I praise her for her tenacity and commitment to the automotive industry,” she said.
The anniversary event, chaired by Frank Nneji, Founder of ABC Transport Plc, also recognised the contributions of established industry figures to the development of Nigeria’s transportation ecosystem.
Nneji received a Legacy Leadership Award in recognition of his contributions to transportation, road safety and logistics in the country.
The lecture, themed “30 Years on the Highway: Safety, Security and Sustainability,” examined critical issues shaping the future of transportation, with particular attention to road safety, security, logistics and sustainable mobility.
The gathering brought together some of the founding figures and influential stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive and transportation sectors, including Dr Olorunfemi Eguaikhide, Chairman, Auto Sectoral Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), and Rev. Lambert Njiribeakor, Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and Board Member, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
Other attendees included
transportation executives, automotive industry players and media practitioners.
Koyejo’s recognition comes at a time when the Nigerian automotive industry is navigating changing consumer expectations, new mobility technologies and increasing conversations around sustainability.
Her award therefore represents not only individual professional achievement but also recognition of the expanding role of women in shaping automotive marketing, dealership operations and the future direction of the industry.
