NADDC, UniAbuja Partner On EV Battery Technology, Automotive Research

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) is exploring a strategic partnership with the University of Abuja to advance electric vehicle (EV) technology, automotive research and innovation in Nigeria.

The Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, disclosed this during a recent visit on September 8, 2026, to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, and the university’s management.
Osanipin said the engagement was aimed at identifying practical areas of collaboration that could strengthen local capacity in EV technology and support the development of home-grown solutions to challenges confronting Nigeria’s emerging electric mobility sector.
A major area of interest in the proposed collaboration is the development of an innovative EV battery casing designed to improve heat management and dissipation under Nigeria’s high-temperature environmental conditions.

According to the NADDC boss, the project has the potential to move beyond academic research and prototyping to local production and eventual commercial application, thereby creating opportunities for technology transfer and industrial development.
He stressed that Nigerian universities possess the expertise, technical knowledge and human capital required to develop solutions to real-world challenges facing the country’s automotive industry.

Osanipin said the proposed partnership would also cover student and researcher training, component testing, reverse engineering and the development of EV charging infrastructure.
He explained that such collaboration would provide a stronger platform for knowledge transfer, research and innovation while helping to bridge the gap between academic institutions and the automotive manufacturing industry.

The NADDC Director-General expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fawehinmi, for his commitment and openness to strengthening collaboration between the university and the Council.
He said the ultimate objective was to translate the discussions into practical initiatives capable of delivering measurable benefits to researchers, students, manufacturers and the wider Nigerian automotive industry.

The proposed collaboration comes as Nigeria continues to explore electric mobility as part of efforts to modernise its transportation system, strengthen local automotive manufacturing capacity and promote cleaner and more sustainable mobility solutions.

The initiative also underscores the growing importance of stronger university-industry-government partnerships in developing indigenous automotive technologies and reducing dependence on imported components and technical solutions.

By Mike Ochonma
mikeochonma@gmail.com