The Classic Car Club of Nigeria has celebrated its 10th anniversary with Nostalgic Lagos, a classic car exhibition held on October 1 at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Independence Day.
The event brought together classic car collectors, enthusiasts, families, friends and distinguished guests for a celebration of vintage automobiles and the memories, history and heritage associated with them.
Organised around the theme of nostalgia and heritage, the event featured an impressive collection of classic automobiles, alongside a drive and showcase, fashion and style, and family-oriented activities. The celebration provided guests with an opportunity to view some of the country’s cherished vintage vehicles while connecting with the stories behind them.
Speaking at the event, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, a classic car collector and one of the event’s sponsors, said the vehicles represented more than their physical and mechanical value, noting that many were connected to personal memories and significant moments in people’s lives.
“For some of us, it’s nostalgic. We carry fond memories of some of those cars. Some of them took us to school, some of them were driven by our parents, some by our uncles, and some of them we owned when we started. So every car has a history and tells a story. That’s the most important thing.”
Badejo-Okusanya, who described himself as a storyteller and public relations consultant, stressed the importance of preserving the history represented by the vehicles.
“You must treasure heritage, treasure tradition. There can’t be a future without a history. So this is the history that we carry here.”
He added that every vehicle at the exhibition had a story, pointing to his own Mercedes-Benz, which he described as “Obokun,” and recalling its significance during the period when it was introduced in Nigeria.
“Every single one has a history and I can tell you the history, the story. Every single one has a story.”
According to him, the appeal of classic cars extends beyond ownership, as the vehicles provide an opportunity for people to reconnect with different periods of Nigeria’s history and share experiences across generations.
Dapo Otunla, Chairman and Co-founder of the Classic Car Club of Nigeria, said the Club’s activities have continued to bring together people who share a passion for classic automobiles, including enthusiasts who do not own vintage cars themselves.
“It’s the kind of thing where we come together with our cars, friends and affiliates. Even people who don’t own cars join us. We just enjoy the time, admire the cars and share experiences,” Otunla said.
Founded in 2016, the Classic Car Club of Nigeria has grown over the past decade into a community of more than 120 members, organising classic car drives, exhibitions and social gatherings that promote the appreciation and preservation of vintage automobiles.
The anniversary celebration also highlighted the role of classic cars in preserving Nigeria’s motoring heritage. Many of the vehicles displayed at Nostalgic Lagos were once familiar sights on Nigerian roads and remain associated with different generations and periods of the country’s social history.
The Club has also continued to advocate for greater recognition of classic motoring as part of Nigeria’s cultural and tourism offering, with Otunla previously calling for increased support to develop classic car exhibitions and activities across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Nostalgic Lagos was particularly significant as it coincided with Nigeria’s Independence Day, providing an opportunity for guests to reflect on the country’s journey while celebrating vehicles that have formed part of its history.
The Classic Car Club of Nigeria said it remains committed to preserving Nigeria’s motoring heritage, growing its community and encouraging younger generations to appreciate the history and stories behind classic automobiles as the Club enters its next decade.
