The Roadblocks to Electric Mobility in Nigeria
Nigeria’s transition to electric mobility is facing significant challenges, with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) identifying poor electricity supply as a major obstacle. In addition to this, the high cost of electric vehicles (EVs) and limited charging infrastructure are also hindering progress.
During a webinar hosted by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Dr. Mukaila Oseni, Director of Operations at NMDPRA, highlighted these issues while discussing the global context of EV adoption. He referenced the International Energy Agency’s projection that 145 million electric vehicles could be on the road worldwide by 2030.
Oseni pointed out several barriers slowing EV adoption in Nigeria. These include:
- High vehicle costs
- Limited charging infrastructure
- Unreliable grid electricity
- Low public awareness
He stressed that without immediate interventions, Nigeria may struggle to keep up with the global shift toward sustainable energy. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the importance of EVs in diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix, reducing long-term transport costs, and cutting emissions.
Oseni proposed leveraging Nigeria’s existing downstream network of fuel retail stations as potential sites for EV charging. He suggested using mini grids to ensure reliable power supply, which would support the growing demand for electric vehicles.
Integrating Gas into the EV Strategy
Tying EVs into Nigeria’s Decade of Gas strategy, Oseni highlighted how compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can serve as transitional solutions while EV adoption grows. This approach could help bridge the gap between traditional fuels and fully electric transportation systems.
MEMAN’s Chief Executive Officer, Clement Isong, shared progress in establishing EV charging and battery swapping sites across the country. Currently, there are 12 EV charging and battery swapping locations and five after-sales facilities. He also mentioned new opportunities such as:
- Solar-powered charging stations
- Battery-swapping networks
- Scaling of two- and three-wheelers as entry points for adoption
Isong called for collaboration among regulators, investors, and private sector players, emphasizing MEMAN’s commitment to fostering dialogue and knowledge sharing to support the EV ecosystem.
The Role of Filling Stations and Sustainable Solutions
Mohammed Mundu, Director of Energy Utilisation at the Energy Commission of Nigeria, noted that filling stations could serve as ideal locations for EV charging due to their existing power capacity. He also emphasized the need for solar integration to ensure sustainability and affordability in the long term.
Abdullahi Ayinde, Director of Vehicle Electrification at the National Automotive Design and Development Council, warned that Nigeria’s EV strategy must be demand-driven. He pointed out that without clear market demand, businesses risk failure, citing past auto assembly failures as an example. He also highlighted the decline in local content from 40% in the 1980s to under 10% today, urging policymakers to focus on creating sustainable demand.
John Francis, Group Head, Electrical/Electronics at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), emphasized the need for urgent standards to protect consumers and investors. He noted that unregulated EV models are already spreading in some states, with multiple incompatible technologies posing risks of fragmentation. SON is working with the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan and international bodies to ensure a safe and competitive market.
Financing and Market Outlook
Akinyemi Alebiosu, Climate Finance Manager at the Nigeria Off-grid Market Acceleration Programme, described EV adoption as inevitable. He pointed to factors driving urgency, including Nigeria’s overdependence on imported used vehicles, high transport costs, currency depreciation, and fuel price volatility.
Alebiosu projected that West Africa could host nearly 9.9 million EVs by 2050, requiring an estimated $20 billion in infrastructure investment, with Nigeria leading in demand. He advocated for blended finance models to mobilize private sector capital and cited successful pilots such as Lagos e-buses and a Nigerian bank replacing its entire fleet with EVs.
Overall, while challenges remain, stakeholders agree that a coordinated effort involving government, industry, and investors is essential to accelerate Nigeria’s electric mobility transition.