The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s electric vehicle (EV) industry through policies that prioritise local content, innovation, technology transfer and industrial development.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, made this known at the inaugural meeting of the Electric Vehicle Assemblers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EVAMAN) in Abuja.
Udeh, who was represented by the National Coordinator, Strategy Implementation Task Office for Presidential Executive Order, Mr. Ibiam Oguejiofor, said government policy was deliberately focused on ensuring that Nigerian talent, materials and enterprises play a central role in the country’s emerging industrial ecosystem.
He pointed to Presidential Executive Order No. 5 as a key policy instrument designed to strengthen indigenous capacity and promote local participation in science, engineering and technology-driven sectors.
According to him, the ministry is working in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to institutionalise local content requirements across strategic sectors, including 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 added that the ministry stands ready to support EVAMAN through policy coordination, research collaboration, innovation programmes and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating growth in the electric mobility space.
The president of EVAMAN, Mr. Mustapha Audu, said the inauguration marked the formal transition of the association from a caretaker leadership to an elected executive structure.
He noted that within two years, the association had secured registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), while also building partnerships with government agencies and key industry stakeholders.
Audu said EVAMAN had expanded its membership base to include manufacturers, assemblers, charging infrastructure providers, renewable energy experts, researchers and investors operating across the electric mobility value chain.
“Nigeria has enormous potential to become a major player in Africa’s electric mobility revolution. 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 said.
The director-general of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahrah Audu, said the federal government remains committed to building a modern, innovation-driven economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
She said electric mobility presents significant opportunities for industrial expansion, environmental sustainability, renewable energy integration and youth employment.
According to her, PEBEC will continue to support reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and creating an enabling environment for investment in emerging and transformative sectors.
“The electric vehicle ecosystem has the potential to stimulate growth across manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics, infrastructure technology and skills development,” she said.
Operations and Strategy Consultant at Leke Services, Gift Agboro, identified access to finance, inadequate charging infrastructure, weak standards and poor data systems as major constraints facing Nigeria’s EV ecosystem.
She called for improved financing conditions, stronger coordination among stakeholders and clearer industry standards to support sustainable sector growth.
Agboro also stressed that a unified industry platform such as EVAMAN would help close policy gaps, enhance transparency and accelerate infrastructure development.
Meanwhile, Oando Clean Energy, represented by its Senior Vice President for Technology and Innovation, Mr. Adeyemi Adebajo, said it is investing in clean mobility solutions, including electric buses and renewable-powered transport systems.
He said the deployment of electric buses is part of efforts to promote cleaner transportation and build public confidence in electric mobility adoption.
Adebajo added that renewable energy, particularly solar power, remains critical to achieving long-term sustainability in Nigeria’s transport sector.
The meeting also produced a new leadership structure for EVAMAN, with Mr. Mustapha Audu elected as President.
Other elected officials include Al Amin Ibrahim as Vice President; Chinedu Ochinanwata as Secretary General; Ademola Ogunbanjo as Assistant Secretary General; and Mr. 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.
