SAGLEV reaffirms commitment to electric mobility in Nigeria, seeks govt support

The Chairman of SAGLEV Electric Vehicle Assembly Plant, Dr. Gbenga Faleye, has restated the company’s unwavering commitment to advancing electric mobility in Nigeria and across the African continent, despite mounting challenges relating to trade regulations and infrastructure constraints.

Speaking during a working visit by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, to the SAGLEV facility in Ikorodu, Lagos, last Wednesday, Faleye described the company’s mission as one focused on providing solutions rather than being deterred by structural obstacles.

“If you’re an investor and you truly love this country, we invite you to focus on opportunities, not obstacles,” Faleye said, while expressing optimism about Nigeria’s potential to lead Africa’s transition to electric mobility.

Faleye, however, pointed out several issues currently hampering progress at the plant, including importation delays due to the misclassification of Harmonised System (HS) codes, underutilisation of digital clearance systems, and longstanding port bottlenecks.

These problems, he noted, have significantly affected the company’s supply chain.

“Right now, five containers of Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) electric vehicle parts are stuck at the port, preventing us from fulfilling existing orders. Customers are waiting, and we cannot move forward until these components are cleared,” he stated.

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He also emphasised the need for a more proactive government role in supporting the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem through dedicated financing programmes and investments in charging infrastructure.

“Nigerians are not yet aware that EVs cut maintenance costs by as much as 60 per cent and eliminate oil changes completely. Unlike conventional vehicles that have thousands of moving parts, EVs operate with just around 40, making them far more durable and cost-effective,” he said.

Faleye underscored the importance of a reliable charging network, noting that while 80 per cent of EV users typically charge their vehicles at home, national infrastructure must be put in place to ensure broader access to public charging points and energy solutions.

SAGLEV is the official African partner of Dongfeng Motor Corporation, the second-largest automobile manufacturer in Asia.

The company’s Ikorodu plant focuses exclusively on the production of four-wheeled electric vehicles and has put in place systems to ensure robust after-sales service, spare parts availability, and the training of technical personnel.

“We committed from the start—before any vehicle hits the market, there must be after-sales support, spare parts must be available, and service teams must be trained. We’re not just building cars, we’re building capacity, knowledge, and a new automotive identity for Africa,” Faleye concluded.

The visit by Minister Oduwole forms part of the federal government’s wider efforts to engage private sector stakeholders and improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria’s emerging green economy.