Nigeria tasked on policy framework for vehicle electrification

An automotive development expert, Luqman Mamudu, has charged Nigeria should launch a policy framework for automotive vehicle electrification. He said the electric vehicle technology agenda can be pursued alongside global adoption pushed by technology and government regulations. He stated that Nigeria can meet its overall emission reduction targets faster with added gains from the ongoing CNG programme.

In a chat with The Guardian, Mamumdu spoke on the status of Nigeria’s automotive sector as the Second Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Programme (NAIDP) 2014-2024 ends.

Mamudu who is also the former director of policy and planning at the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), said: “We certainly made considerable progress in the industry. For one, 90 per cent of the manufacturing and assembly companies established in Nigeria’s first automotive program were revived. Note, my word, revived not revitalised because they still have not reached their full potential in capacity utilisation. Established between the 70s and early 80s, their combined capacities met 70 per cent of Nigeria’s automotive needs.”

He said the NAIDP through its robust fiscal provisions resulted in an investment pipeline through technical partnership and their Nigerian brand distributors, dealers and just entrepreneurs.

“The result was an upsurge in installed capacity from a mere 5000 units to about 450,000 units per annum. The plants include Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (now PAN NIGERIA), VWON NIGERIA (now Stallion) FIAT NTM (Now NTM), ANAMMCO and Steyre,” he said.

According to Mamudu, some Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Honda have set up assembly operations directly just as many local entrepreneurs led by Innoson Motors Manufacturing (IVM) also set up robust manufacturing and assembly operations.