Key players from Nigeria's public and private sectors have united to champion consistent policies and strategic incentives that will accelerate the country's transition to electric vehicles. This consensus emerged during the groundbreaking Electric Vehicle Nigeria exhibition and Conference held recently in Lagos.
Driving Nigeria's E-Mobility Future Through Collaboration
The inaugural event, which took place from November 13 to 14, 2025, brought together industry experts under the theme "Driving the Future." Convener Abiola Adekoyejo emphasized that Nigeria possesses both the conditions and innovation required to lead Africa's electric mobility adoption.
Adekoyejo highlighted the conference's timing as particularly crucial, noting that recent developments such as the removal of fuel subsidy have underscored the urgent need for a multi-modal approach to Nigeria's transportation system. He stressed that with proper incentives, policies, and interventions, the e-mobility ecosystem will play a vital role in building Nigeria's resilient economy.
Transforming EV Interest into Sustainable Investment
Keynote speaker Sam Faleye, Chairman and CEO of SAGLEV INC, delivered a powerful presentation titled "E-mobility as an Alternative Source for Revenue Generation." He urged Nigeria to capitalize on the growing global interest in electric vehicles by transforming this momentum into sustainable investment opportunities.
Faleye emphasized that stakeholders cannot afford to ignore the massive market potential that electric vehicles create. He called for significant investments that would not only address challenges like rising fuel costs but also generate substantial employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Gaith Al-Hassan, Director of Engineering & Design at IHS Nigeria, drew parallels between the current EV challenges and those faced by the telecom sector during its early tower installation phase. He advised stakeholders to prepare for challenges related to grid reliability, power supply, and security infrastructure to support widespread EV adoption.
Grassroots Opportunities and Infrastructure Development
The Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Moyosore Ogunlewe, highlighted the transformative potential of e-mobility for local communities. In his keynote address titled "E-mobility in Grassroots Development: Skills, Jobs and Local Enterprise," he outlined how grassroots communities stand to benefit significantly from Nigeria's transition to clean transportation.
Ogunlewe identified numerous opportunities in EV assembly, maintenance, charging infrastructure development, battery management services, and digital platform operations. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts where local governments provide supportive policies, private sector partners contribute technology and expertise, financial institutions offer accessible credit facilities, and community organizations ensure inclusive participation.
During various panel sessions, experts including Adedotun Eyinade of NoMAP and Olabanjo Alimi of QORAY emphasized the importance of developing charging infrastructure and addressing knowledge gaps in electronic mobility. Alimi specifically noted that establishing charging facilities in key locations requires significant patient capital, grants, and innovative financing models.
The conference concluded with unanimous agreement among participants that clear policies, regulatory standards, and targeted incentives are essential to accelerate e-mobility adoption at the grassroots level while promoting inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable community development across Nigeria.
