FG restates backing for Nigeria’s electric vehicle sector

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s electric vehicle (EV) industry through policies focused on local content development, innovation, technology transfer, and industrial expansion. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Electric Vehicle Assemblers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in Abuja, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley […]

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s electric vehicle (EV) industry through policies focused on local content development, innovation, technology transfer, and industrial expansion.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Electric Vehicle Assemblers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in Abuja, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, said the government remains committed to placing Nigerian expertise, raw materials, and enterprises at the center of the country’s industrial agenda.

Represented by Mr. Ibiam Oguejiofor, National Coordinator for Presidential Executive Order No. 5, the minister noted that the Order continues to serve as a strategic framework for strengthening indigenous capacity in science, engineering, and technology.

According to him, the ministry is collaborating with ministries, departments, and agencies to deepen local content implementation across clean transportation, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation.

“Our goal is clear: Nigerian talent, resources, technology, and enterprises must be central to our industrial future,” Udeh said, while pledging stronger policy coordination, research collaboration, and strategic partnerships to support the EV ecosystem.

President of EVAMAN, Mustapha Audu, described the gathering as a transition from caretaker leadership to a fully elected executive structure. He disclosed that the association has secured Corporate Affairs Commission registration, strengthened ties with government institutions, and expanded its membership base to include manufacturers, assemblers, charging infrastructure providers, researchers, and investors.

Audu said Nigeria possesses the market size, technical talent, and growing innovation ecosystem needed to become a continental leader in electric mobility.

Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Zahrah Audu, also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building an innovation-driven economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda. She noted that the EV industry could unlock opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure development, and youth employment.

Speaking during the meeting, Gift Agboro of Leke Services identified limited access to finance, inadequate charging infrastructure, weak regulatory standards, and poor industry data as major challenges slowing the sector’s growth. She called for lower lending rates and stronger coordination among stakeholders.

Representatives of  Oando Clean Energy, including Mr. Adeyemi Adebajo, said the company is supporting Nigeria’s clean mobility ambitions through electric bus deployment and solar-powered energy solutions.

The meeting also produced a new executive council for EVAMAN, with Mustapha Audu elected President, Al Amin Ibrahim as Vice President, Chinedu Ochinanwata as Secretary General, Ademola Ogunbanjo as Assistant Secretary General, Adeyemi Olukayode Kalejaiye as Treasurer, 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.