L-R: Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Ltd, Mr Kunle Ade Ojo, Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo; Mr Callixtus Nwodo, Head Admin and Due Deligence, Zenith Bank,and Mr Henry Ojuoko, Head, Dealer Development and Special Duties, Toyota Nigeria Ltd, during the presentation of Toyota Starlet Cross to Zenith Bank as winner of TNL Evergreen Customer award in Lagos.
By Theodore Opara
Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as one of the major winners at the 2026 Toyota Awards and Customers’ Night, clinching the prestigious Evergreen Customer of the Year Award in recognition of its position as Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s most consistent customer over the last five years.
The annual prestigeous awards held last Friday at The Podium Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos, brought together customers, dealers, government officials, corporate partners, media practitioners and other stakeholders to celebrate outstanding patronage and contributions to the growth of the auto company.
The event serves as a platform to reward loyal customers, recognise strategic partners and reinforce the company’s customer-centric philosophy.
This year’s edition of the awards carried special significance as Toyota Nigeria celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of operations since its establishment in 1996.
In recognition of the Zenith Bank’s huge patronage, the Chairman and founder of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, presented the bank officials with the keys to a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross.
Another keenly contested category was the Customer of the Year Award, which went to AGL Motors for purchasing the highest volume of Toyota vehicles in 2025.
The Nigerian Army and Zenith Bank emerged as first and second runners-up respectively in that category. The winners received office equipment worth several millions of naira.
In keeping with its tradition of recognising excellence across its business ecosystem, Toyota Nigeria also honoured outstanding automotive journalists whose reports and analyses have helped shape public understanding of developments in the industry.
Veteran motoring journalist, Theodore Opara of Vanguard, was named Journalist of the Year for his consistent coverage of the automotive sector and insightful reporting on industry trends and Toyota’s innovations.
Mike Ochonma of Transport World emerged as the first runner-up, while Rasheed Bisiriyu of Newstrends was recognised as the second runner-up for his contributions to automotive journalism, particularly in the areas of vehicle technology, mobility solutions and market analysis.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.