The Federal Government has taken delivery of its first batch of electric vehicles (EVs) promised to civil servants, marking the initial phase of a nationwide push toward clean-energy transportation.
Speaking after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), confirmed that the delivery signals a broader transition toward reducing transport costs and modernizing the nation’s automotive sector.
Infrastructure and Alternative Energy Push
Osanipin outlined ongoing efforts to build the supporting infrastructure required to sustain both electric mobility and the compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative:
- University Ecosystems: EV charging infrastructure has already been installed across 16 universities nationwide to support the initial vehicle rollout.
- Expanding CNG Supply: Private-sector investment in alternative fuels is accelerating, with licensed gas retailing firms surging from four to 81, significantly widening supply access beyond major urban centres.
- Significant Cost Savings: Osanipin cited field reports showing drastic drops in travel costs—including a commercial journey from Abuja to Kano where fuel expenses fell from over ₦200,000 to approximately ₦40,000 after converting to CNG.
Enforcement to Address Commuter Fares
While fleet operators are already experiencing lower operational costs, the NADDC chief acknowledged that these savings have not yet fully translated into reduced fares for commuters.
He stated that current government priorities remain focused on expanding refuelling and charging networks nationwide, after which regulatory measures will be introduced to ensure operators pass on lower transport costs to the public.
Osanipin added that the council is currently finalizing draft legislation aimed at establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework to attract further investment and boost local vehicle manufacturing.
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