FG claims Nigeria does not need 24/7 electricity before formulating EV policy
Oredola Adeola
The Federal Government has defended its policy thrust on the introduction of EV facilities in the country, insisting that Nigeria does not require 24 hours of electricity before formulating a policy to increase the capacity for Electric Vehicle (EV) production in the country. Furthermore, the government believes and supports the provision of more EVs that are applicable to the Nigerian condition.
This was revealed in a series of tweets by Tolu Ogunlesi, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media. According to him, when we say Nigeria is developing an Electric Vehicle Policy, some laugh.
Critics of EVs in Nigeria have urged the government to focus on formulating policies that would stabilise and improve the power sector before venturing into electric vehicles.
Tolu Ogunnisi on his part disclosed said, “Without realizing you don’t have to wait until you have 247 electricity before putting in place an EV policy. You can work on fixing power and rolling out EV incentives SIMULTANEOUSLY.
However, Jelani Aliyu, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), recently said that EVs production would allow the nation to meet its target for the Paris Accord and the 2060 net zero commitment, both on reducing harmful gas emissions from vehicles.
Aliyu made this known during the Nigeria Energy Summit II, organised by the Federal Ministry of Power, in collaboration with Germany and the European Union.
He said, “The Council has started work on an Electric Vehicle Policy, a set of fiscal incentives for both producers and buyers/users of EVs in Nigeria,” the NADDC DG said.
The NADDC DG said the agency is developing 100% Solar Powered EV Charging Stations, sited at three universities, namely Usmanu Dan Fodio, Sokoto, University of Lagos and University of Nigeria, Nsukka, bringing advanced automotive related technology to the doorsteps of students as an effective technology transfer initiative.
