The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N151.9 billion (approximately $100 million) for the deployment of electric buses, tricycles, and charging infrastructure across Nigeria’s North-East region. The initiative, funded by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), aims to curb carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and modernize public transit in the region.
The approval, announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, follows an October 2024 presidential directive to prioritize electric mobility. Under the plan, 10 electric buses, 10,000 electric tricycles, and 237 electric cars will be supplied to the region, alongside critical charging infrastructure.
Bluecrest Integrated Concept Limited secured a N2.9 billion contract to deliver 10 electric 17-seater buses within six months. For tricycles, three firms won bids: Mutual Commitment Company Ltd will supply 4,000 units for N49.6 billion, Shanghai Integrated Infrastructure Development will provide 3,000 units for N37.2 billion, and Sinoma Investment International Ltd will deliver another 3,000. Each nine-passenger e-tricycle includes space for a driver, targeting last-mile connectivity in urban and rural areas.
Electric cars are also part of the rollout, with HNCEGC contracted to supply 237 BYD models for N16.3 billion. Charging stations, essential for sustaining the fleet, will be established by KB Laman Motors Nigeria Ltd under an N8.4 billion agreement.
This shows Nigeria’s commitment to its climate action plans, including the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the Electric Vehicle Policy. President Tinubu, who inspected prototype vehicles and charging systems earlier this year, emphasized the project’s role in reducing fossil fuel dependency. “This is a critical step toward a cleaner, more efficient future for Nigerian transport,” Onanuga stated.
The North-East rollout mirrors efforts in Lagos, where electric buses are already operational in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network. Lagos aims for 52% of its BRT fleet to run on clean energy by 2050, with Oando PLC partnering to deploy 5,000 e-buses. Meanwhile, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) plans to add 50 electric vehicles by late 2025.
The NEDC’s success in the North-East could accelerate national adoption, but coordinated efforts with power providers and local governments will be vital.
Akinwunmi Adeniyi, a clean energy analyst, noted, “The real test lies in maintaining consistent power for charging stations and ensuring affordability for operators. Without addressing these, scalability becomes difficult.”
If successful, the program could position Nigeria as a regional leader in electric mobility, attracting foreign investment and technological partnerships. It also aligns with global trends, as nations increasingly transition to low-emission transport to meet climate targets.
The Federal Government’s push signals a broader shift: from Lagos’s urban centers to the North-East’s developing regions, electric vehicles are poised to redefine Nigeria’s transportation landscape,one charge at a time.
