Stakeholders seek local manufacturing, cheaper financing, charging infrastructure and crackdown on uncertified CNG conversions
MIRIAM LAWAL
Nigeria’s drive towards electric vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) must move beyond policy declarations to a coordinated national action plan, stakeholders at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU 2026) have declared.
The stakeholders called for a National Clean Mobility Roadmap with clear targets for EV and CNG adoption, infrastructure development, local manufacturing, technology transfer and investment.
The demand was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
Held on July 30 at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, the summit 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), 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 progress in the Federal Government’s clean-mobility drive but warned that inconsistent policies, inadequate infrastructure and weak enforcement could undermine the transition.
A major recommendation was the mandatory certification of all imported and locally assembled EVs and CNG vehicles, conversion kits, charging systems and related equipment under SONCAP, MANCAP and the proposed Vehicle Conformity Assessment Scheme.
The summit also demanded the immediate licensing and accreditation of CNG conversion centres nationwide, backed by continuous monitoring to ensure that only certified technicians carry out conversions.
Stakeholders said the measures were necessary to curb accidents and other risks associated with poorly executed conversions and substandard equipment.
They also called for stronger private-sector participation in building CNG refuelling stations, EV charging networks and battery-support infrastructure through fiscal incentives, easier access to finance and public-private partnerships.
Beyond cleaner transportation, the summit urged government to use the transition to drive automotive industrialisation and job creation by providing stronger incentives for local vehicle assemblers, component manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers.
It recommended increased local content in vehicle production and preferential treatment for locally assembled EVs and CNG vehicles in government procurement wherever domestic capacity exists.
The stakeholders further demanded dedicated financing schemes for consumers, fleet operators, transport unions and investors seeking to acquire clean-energy vehicles or develop supporting infrastructure.
Road safety was also highlighted, with calls for specialised training for road safety officers, firefighters, emergency responders and mechanics handling EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.
The summit urged sustained public education to discourage motorists from using uncertified conversion centres and substandard equipment, while encouraging collaboration among universities, research institutions, technical colleges and industry to develop the skills needed for the emerging clean-mobility economy.
It also called on the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies to eliminate bottlenecks hindering the implementation of Federal Government incentives, including applicable duty waivers for EVs.
The communiqué stressed the need to harmonise customs, fiscal, tax and automotive policies to provide regulatory certainty, boost investor confidence and attract long-term investment.
While commending the Federal Government for the momentum generated by the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, the stakeholders urged sustained implementation and consistent, investment-friendly policies.
They expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations would accelerate Nigeria’s shift to cleaner transportation, deepen local manufacturing, attract investment, create skilled jobs, strengthen energy security and position the country as a leading African hub for sustainable mobility.
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