By Ononye VC
The Federal Government of Nigeria has partnered with 12 universities to lead the design and production of electric vehicles across the country.
This groundbreaking initiative forms a key part of the administration’s “Nigeria First” policy, which seeks to promote local innovation, strengthen national capacity, and boost technological advancement.
In a strategic move to ensure inclusiveness and national coverage, each of the six geopolitical zones will be represented by two universities.
These institutions have been carefully selected based on their research capabilities, engineering expertise, and alignment with national development goals.
Funding for the project will be provided by the Bank of Industry (BoI), alongside other financial institutions committed to supporting Nigeria’s transition to green technology.
This financial backing is expected to facilitate the design, testing, and eventual mass production of locally made electric vehicles.
The government sees the project as a crucial step toward achieving self-reliance in the automotive industry.
By tapping into local talents and resources, the initiative aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported vehicles and parts, while also creating employment opportunities in both the automotive and technology sectors.
Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Oluwemimo Osanipin, confirmed the initiative during a recent briefing.
He emphasized that Nigeria remains committed to building automotive components locally and integrating them into a wider national industrial strategy.
According to Osanipin, the universities will play a central role in driving research and development, especially in battery technologies, vehicle design, and sustainable mobility solutions.
Their involvement is also expected to strengthen academia-industry linkages, encourage innovation hubs, and improve technical education in engineering fields.
The Federal Government’s goal is to position Nigeria as a hub for green transportation in West Africa, in line with global efforts to combat climate change.
By investing in this forward-looking policy, Nigeria aims not only to modernize its transportation systems but also to play a leadership role in Africa’s transition to sustainable energy.
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