FG pushes local EV production, investment
The Federal Government has called on investors, manufacturers and industry stakeholders to support the growth of Nigeria’s electric vehicle sector as part of efforts to expand industrial development and modernise transportation.
The call was made on Thursday in Abuja during the inaugural meeting of the Electric Vehicle Association of Nigeria, where government officials highlighted the economic and technological opportunities within the electric mobility industry.
Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Princess Zahrah Audu, said the country was positioning itself to benefit from the global shift toward cleaner and smarter transportation systems.
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She said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained focused on building a competitive and innovation-driven economy through investments in modern transportation and clean energy solutions.
According to her, the electric vehicle sector could support local manufacturing, create jobs, attract investments and encourage technological advancement across the country.
Audu added that the transition to electric mobility would also support Nigeria’s climate goals by reducing carbon emissions and encouraging cleaner energy use.
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Also speaking at the event, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, said Nigeria’s industrial future depends largely on innovation, science and technology.
Represented by Dr Ibiam Oguejiofor, the minister said the government was committed to supporting policies that would strengthen the country’s technological and industrial capacity.
He noted that Nigeria’s transition to electric vehicles would require coordinated planning, financing and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
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Chairman of the Electric Vehicle Association of Nigeria, Mustapha Audu, said the association was established to ensure Nigeria was not left behind in the global transition to sustainable transportation.
He disclosed that the association had already begun working with agencies including the National Automotive Design and Development Council, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Energy Commission of Nigeria.
Audu said Nigeria has the market size, manpower and technological potential to become a major hub for electric vehicle production and clean transportation solutions in Africa.
He, however, identified funding challenges, infrastructure gaps and policy uncertainties as some of the issues affecting the sector’s growth.