Nigeria’s ambition to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation must move beyond policy declarations and be supported by a coordinated national strategy, measurable targets, stronger safety standards and sustained investment, stakeholders at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU 2026) have said.
The stakeholders called on the Federal Government to develop a National Clean Mobility Roadmap that clearly defines Nigeria’s targets for EV adoption, CNG expansion, infrastructure development, local vehicle manufacturing and technology transfer.
The recommendations were contained in the communiqué issued at the end of NAISU 2026, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
The summit, held on July 30 at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together representatives of NADDC, the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), automotive component manufacturers and other industry stakeholders.
With the theme, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration,” participants acknowledged the progress made in promoting alternative-fuel vehicles but warned that the sustainability of the transition would depend on policy consistency, infrastructure development, strict standards and effective coordination among government agencies.
One of the major concerns raised at the summit was the need to prevent unsafe vehicles, conversion kits and charging equipment from entering the Nigerian market.
Stakeholders therefore called for mandatory certification of all imported and locally assembled EVs and CNG vehicles, conversion kits, charging systems and related equipment.
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They recommended that such products be subjected to applicable standards under the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP), Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) and the proposed Vehicle Conformity Assessment Scheme.
The summit also demanded the immediate licensing and accreditation of CNG conversion centres across the country.
Participants said continuous monitoring would be necessary to ensure that vehicle conversions are carried out only by certified technicians using approved equipment.
The measure, they argued, would help address safety concerns associated with poorly executed conversions and substandard components.
The stakeholders also stressed that government alone could not finance the infrastructure required to support Nigeria’s clean-mobility ambitions.
They called for fiscal incentives, easier access to financing and public-private partnerships to attract investment into CNG refuelling stations, EV charging networks and battery-support infrastructure.
The development of charging and refuelling infrastructure, they noted, would be critical to overcoming one of the biggest barriers to consumer adoption — the availability and reliability of energy infrastructure.
Clean mobility as industrialisation opportunity
Beyond replacing petrol and diesel-powered vehicles, participants argued that Nigeria should use the clean-mobility transition as an opportunity to expand domestic manufacturing.
They called for stronger incentives for local vehicle assemblers, component manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers, alongside policies aimed at increasing local content in vehicle production.
Government procurement, they added, should prioritise locally assembled EVs and CNG vehicles and Nigerian-made automotive components wherever domestic production capacity exists.
Such a policy, according to the stakeholders, would help create demand for locally manufactured vehicles while encouraging investment in component production and technology development.
Financing remains a major hurdle
The summit also identified access to affordable financing as essential to achieving mass adoption.
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Stakeholders called for dedicated financing schemes for consumers, fleet operators, transport unions and investors seeking to purchase EVs and CNG vehicles or develop supporting infrastructure.
They argued that high upfront acquisition costs could discourage individuals and commercial operators from switching to cleaner vehicles, despite the potential long-term savings in fuel and operating costs.
Road safety and emergency preparedness
Road safety was another major component of the recommendations.
Participants called for specialised training for road safety officers, firefighters, emergency responders and mechanics who will increasingly deal with EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.
The stakeholders also advocated sustained public education to help motorists and the wider public understand the economic, environmental and safety implications of clean mobility.
They warned Nigerians against patronising uncertified CNG conversion centres or purchasing substandard equipment in an attempt to reduce conversion costs.
Building the skills for a new automotive economy
The summit further called for closer collaboration between universities, research institutions, technical colleges and the automotive industry.
According to the stakeholders, Nigeria will require a new generation of technicians, engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs with specialised knowledge of EV technology, CNG systems, battery management, charging infrastructure and other emerging automotive technologies.
Investment in technical education and research, they said, would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign expertise while creating opportunities for skilled employment.
Customs, tax policies must be harmonised
The Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant government agencies were also urged to remove administrative bottlenecks affecting the implementation of fiscal incentives for EVs, including applicable duty waivers.
The stakeholders argued that customs, fiscal, tax and automotive policies must be harmonised to create a predictable regulatory environment for investors.
They said inconsistencies or delays in implementing approved incentives could undermine investor confidence and slow the development of the clean-mobility market.
While commending the Federal Government for the momentum generated by the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, the summit urged authorities to ensure that the reforms are sustained through consistent implementation and investment-friendly policies.
The stakeholders maintained that Nigeria’s clean-mobility ambitions would be measured not by the number of policies announced but by the number of vehicles deployed, charging and refuelling facilities established, local components manufactured and skilled jobs created.
They expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations could accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation while deepening local manufacturing, attracting investment, creating skilled employment and strengthening energy security.
If sustained, they said, the clean-mobility drive could also position Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading hubs for sustainable transportation and automotive innovation.