FG rallies investors, manufacturers for electric vehicle drive

The Federal Government on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to promoting electric vehicles and clean transportation as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s transport sector, deepen industrialisation and advance the country’s green energy agenda.

The commitment was made at the inaugural meeting of the Electric Vehicle Association of Nigeria held in Abuja, where government officials and industry stakeholders stressed the need for stronger collaboration to position Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s electric mobility revolution.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Princess Zahrah Audu, congratulated EVAMAN for what she described as a bold and visionary step toward shaping the future of transportation, energy transition and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

Audu said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained committed to building a modern, competitive and innovation-driven economy through the diversification and modernisation of the country’s mobility ecosystem.

She said, “The emergence of EVAMAN is both timely and significant in helping to drive this transition.

“Around the world, electric mobility is transforming economies, creating new industries, generating jobs, attracting investments and accelerating technological advancement.

“President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that global transportation systems are evolving toward cleaner and smarter technologies, making it imperative for Nigeria to strategically position itself within the electric mobility value chain.”

She noted that beyond mobility diversification, the electric vehicle sector offers opportunities for local manufacturing, renewable energy integration, infrastructure development, digital innovation and youth empowerment.

The PEBEC boss also stressed the importance of electric vehicles in helping Nigeria meet its climate obligations and green growth targets by reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner energy adoption.

Also speaking, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, emphasised that science and technology remain the defining difference between developed and underdeveloped countries.

Udeh was represented by the National Coordinator of Strategy Implementation Task Force for Presidential Executive Order., Dr Ibiam Oguejiofor.

The minister said the Federal Government was taking innovation and technological development more seriously than ever before, adding that Nigeria’s transition to electric mobility would require coordinated planning, industrial financing, technological innovation and sustained public-private collaboration.

“Our objective is clear. Nigeria’s talent, resources, technology and enterprises must occupy a central place in the country’s industrial future,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of EVAMAN, Mustapha Audu, said the association started two years ago as a vision shared by stakeholders determined to ensure Nigeria was not left behind in the global transition to sustainable transportation systems.

Audu said EVAMAN had established collaboration with key government agencies, including the National Automotive Design and Development Council, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

Despite challenges such as financial limitations, infrastructure gaps and policy uncertainties, he said the association continued to push forward because of the enormous opportunities within the sector.

“Nigeria has enormous potential to become a major player in Africa’s electric mobility revolution,” Audu said.

“With our large market, skilled manpower and growing technological capacity, we can position ourselves as a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing and clean transportation solutions in Africa.”