PPP key to Nigeria’s EV, CNG transition, says LCCl Auto Sectoral Chairman

A passionate call for stronger collaboration between the federal government and private sector to overcome policy and operational bottlenecks slowing Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation through Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) has been made.

Speaking at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit, themed, ‘Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,’ Femi Eguaikhide, chairman of the Auto and Allied Sector Group of LCCI, said the success of the federal government’s clean mobility initiative would depend on sustained stakeholder collaboration, policy consistency and the removal of regulatory obstacles discouraging investment in the sector.

Eguahide said while the federal government had demonstrated commitment to promoting alternative energy solutions through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), greater coordination between government institutions and private investors would be required to translate policy objectives into measurable outcomes.

“The automotive industry remains a strategic driver of industrialisation, employment and economic growth, making it imperative for government agencies to work closely with manufacturers, assemblers, financiers and technology providers to eliminate regulatory hurdles and create a business-friendly environment,” he said.

Eguahide noted that policy implementation must be supported by regular stakeholder engagement capable of identifying and resolving challenges affecting vehicle conversion, local manufacturing, financing, infrastructure development and investment.

He also noted that Nigeria possesses enormous opportunities to build a competitive clean mobility ecosystem, but warned that fragmented policies and institutional bottlenecks could slow the country’s progress if not urgently addressed.

Eguahide further urged government agencies to strengthen engagement with the organised private sector in order to develop practical solutions that would accelerate the deployment of CNG infrastructure, electric vehicle charging facilities and local automotive production.

MIKE OCHONMA
mikeochonma@gmail.com