NAJA auto summit rallies industry leaders behind Nigeria’s clean mobility vision

Nigeria’s drive towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation received a major boost on Thursday as policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and safety experts converged in Lagos on Thursday July 30 at the Radisson Hotel for the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit, where speakers unanimously agreed that collaboration, robust standards, road safety and strategic investment are indispensable to the successful adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology.

The summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) and themed “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,” became a convergence point for government agencies, automotive manufacturers, financiers, transport operators, researchers and development partners to evaluate Nigeria’s readiness for a clean mobility revolution.

A common thread throughout the event was the insistence that Nigeria’s transition cannot succeed through government policy alone but requires coordinated action involving regulators, industry players, investors, the media and consumers.

Opening the summit, Chairman of NAJA, Theodore Opara, described the gathering as more than an industry conference, saying it was a strategic platform to shape the future of Nigeria’s automotive sector.

He noted that countries across the world are rapidly embracing cleaner transportation technologies to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and build sustainable economies, warning that Nigeria risks falling behind if it fails to accelerate its transition.

“Around the world, nations are embracing cleaner transportation technologies as governments, manufacturers and consumers work together to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and build more sustainable economies. Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind,” Opara said.

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According to him, reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration have created fresh momentum around CNG, electric vehicles, local automotive manufacturing and sustainable transportation.

He stressed that these reforms must be supported by strong collaboration among government agencies, manufacturers, financiers, infrastructure providers, researchers and the media.

“Today’s discussions should not end as another conference. We expect practical recommendations capable of influencing policy formulation, encouraging investment, expanding local production, strengthening automotive value chains, promoting skills development and accelerating the adoption of cleaner mobility solutions across Nigeria,” he stated.

Opara also challenged journalists covering the automotive sector to see themselves as strategic partners in national development rather than mere reporters.

“The media remains an essential bridge between government policies, industry players and the Nigerian public. Through accurate, balanced and constructive reporting, we shall continue to promote informed conversations that encourage investment, innovation and responsible policymaking within the automotive sector.”

Reinforcing Opara’s call for collaboration, the Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, represented by Engr. Olalekan Omoniyi, argued that Nigeria’s clean mobility ambitions would only succeed if backed by internationally acceptable standards, certification and strict regulatory compliance.

According to him, standards remain the foundation upon which a safe, reliable and globally competitive clean mobility ecosystem must be built.

“The success of Nigeria’s transition to Electric Vehicles and Compressed Natural Gas mobility depends on a robust framework of standards, certification and regulatory compliance that guarantees safety, quality and consumer confidence.”

He warned that while EVs and CNG present enormous opportunities for economic growth, industrial development and environmental sustainability, weak regulatory oversight could expose Nigerians to unsafe vehicles, defective components and avoidable accidents.

To address this challenge, Omoniyi disclosed that SON has already developed more than 80 Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) for CNG vehicles and equipment, alongside 87 additional standards and the National Nigeria Guideline (NNG 1214:2024) governing CNG vehicle conversions.

He added that the organisation is equally expanding standards covering electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, batteries, charging connectors and battery-swapping systems.

The SON representative also highlighted key conformity assessment programmes—including SONCAP, MANCAP and the proposed Vehicle Conformity Assessment Scheme (VehCAS/VehCAP) being developed in partnership with NADDC and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)—as critical mechanisms for enforcing compliance across the sector.

Expressing concern over the emergence of uncertified CNG conversion centres, cylinders and accessories, he warned that poorly regulated installations had previously contributed to explosions and fire incidents.

“Standards should not be viewed as barriers to innovation but as essential enablers of investment, consumer protection and international competitiveness.”

He urged government to make certification compulsory for imported and locally assembled EVs, CNG vehicles, conversion kits and charging equipment while investing more in testing laboratories and public awareness campaigns.

Also speaking, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, said Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation must be anchored on road safety if it is to deliver its intended benefits.

He noted that as alternative fuel vehicles become more common on Nigerian roads, regulatory institutions must adapt to emerging technologies through improved enforcement, specialised training and updated operational guidelines.

The Corps Marshal said FRSC is already positioning itself to support the transition through enhanced safety regulations, stakeholder engagement and the development of operational frameworks for EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.

According to him, cleaner mobility should not only reduce emissions but also improve road safety, vehicle standards and public confidence in emerging technologies.

He emphasised that road users, transport operators, vehicle manufacturers and conversion centres all have important roles to play in ensuring that Nigeria’s transition is both safe and sustainable.

Industry stakeholders at the summit agreed that Nigeria possesses the opportunity to become a regional leader in clean mobility if policy consistency, local manufacturing, infrastructure development, safety regulation and standards enforcement advance simultaneously.

They also noted that successful implementation of the country’s EV and CNG agenda could stimulate industrialisation, create thousands of skilled jobs, deepen local automotive manufacturing, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and support Nigeria’s climate change commitments.