The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Nigeria’s electric vehicle (EV) industry through policies focused on local content, innovation, technology transfer and industrial growth.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, gave the assurance during the inaugural meeting of the Electric Vehicle Assemblers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EVAMAN) in Abuja.
Represented by the National Coordinator of the Strategy Implementation Task Office for Presidential Executive Order No. 5, Mr. Ibiam Oguejiofor, the minister said the government was determined to ensure that Nigerian expertise, resources and enterprises play a central role in the nation’s industrial advancement.
He explained that Presidential Executive Order No. 5 remains a key policy framework designed to promote indigenous participation and capacity development in science, engineering and technology-related projects.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology is collaborating with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to institutionalise local content across strategic sectors such as clean transportation, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and digital innovation.
“Our objective is clear and unwavering: Nigerian talent, Nigerian resources, Nigerian technology and Nigerian enterprises must occupy a central place in the country’s industrial future,” he said.
Udeh further stated that the ministry was ready to support EVAMAN through policy coordination, research collaboration, innovation support programmes and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating growth in the EV sector.
Speaking at the event, EVAMAN President, Mr. Mustapha Audu, described the inauguration as a significant milestone marking the association’s transition from a caretaker administration to an elected leadership structure.
Audu noted that within two years, the association had secured registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and established partnerships with government institutions and industry stakeholders.
He added that EVAMAN had expanded its membership base to include manufacturers, assemblers, charging infrastructure providers, renewable energy experts, researchers and investors within the electric mobility ecosystem.
“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,” he added.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Ms. Zahrah Audu, said the Federal Government remained committed to building a modern, innovation-driven economy under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She noted that electric mobility presents opportunities for industrial expansion, environmental sustainability, renewable energy integration and youth empowerment.
According to her, PEBEC would continue to support reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and creating an enabling environment for investment in transformative industries.
“The electric vehicle ecosystem has the potential to stimulate growth across several sectors, including manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics, infrastructure technology and skills development,” she said.
In her presentation, Operations and Strategy Consultant at Leke Services, Ms. Gift Agboro, identified limited access to finance, inadequate charging infrastructure, lack of standards and poor industry data as major challenges affecting Nigeria’s EV ecosystem.
Agboro stressed the need for lower lending rates, improved coordination and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to drive sustainable growth in the industry.
She added that a unified industry voice through EVAMAN would help address policy gaps, improve transparency and support infrastructure development for the sector.
On his part, President of Oando Clean Energy, Mr. Ademola Ogunbanjo, represented by the company’s Senior Vice President, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Adeyemi Adebajo, said the company was advancing clean mobility through investments in electric buses and sustainable energy solutions.
Adebajo disclosed that electric buses had already been deployed as part of efforts to promote cleaner transportation and build public confidence in electric mobility.
He added that renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, remain critical to achieving sustainable transportation systems in Nigeria.
The meeting also produced a new leadership for EVAMAN, with Mustapha Audu elected President.
Other elected executives include Al Amin Ibrahim as Vice President, Chinedu Ochinanwata as Secretary General, Ademola Ogunbanjo as Assistant Secretary General and Adeyemi Olukayode Kalejaiye as Treasurer.
Others are Maxx EV as Assistant Treasurer, Celyena Okiyi as Legal Adviser, Ikenna Ayu as Head of Public Affairs, Chinedu Ekeh as Head of Research and Innovation and Edward Ihejirika as Government Liaison and Policy Officer.
