By Theodore Opara

Stakeholders at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit, NAISU 2026, have urged the Federal Government to fast-track Nigeria’s clean mobility transition, warning that policy delays, weak enforcement and inadequate infrastructure could undermine the country’s electric vehicle, EV, and Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, ambitions.

The stakeholders called for an urgent National Clean Mobility Roadmap with clear and measurable targets for EV and CNG adoption, infrastructure development, local manufacturing, technology transfer and investment.

The demand was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, NAJA, in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC.

Held on July 30 at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, the summit brought together representatives of NADDC, the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Pi-CNG & EV, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Federal Fire Service, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, component manufacturers and other industry stakeholders.

With the theme, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration,” participants acknowledged the progress made by the Federal Government but stressed the need to move from policy declarations to sustained implementation.

A major recommendation was the mandatory certification of imported and locally assembled EVs and CNG vehicles, conversion kits, charging systems and related equipment under SONCAP, MANCAP and the proposed Vehicle Conformity Assessment Scheme.

The summit also demanded the immediate licensing and accreditation of CNG conversion centres nationwide, with continuous monitoring to ensure that only certified technicians undertake conversions.

According to the stakeholders, stronger standards and enforcement are essential to prevent accidents and other risks associated with poorly executed conversions and substandard equipment.

They also called for increased private-sector investment in CNG refuelling stations, EV charging networks and battery-support infrastructure, supported by fiscal incentives, easier access to finance and public-private partnerships.

Beyond cleaner transportation, the summit urged government to use the clean-mobility transition to accelerate automotive industrialisation and job creation by strengthening incentives for local vehicle assemblers, component manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs.

It recommended increased local content in vehicle production and preferential treatment for locally assembled EVs and CNG vehicles in government procurement where domestic capacity exists.

The stakeholders further called for dedicated financing schemes for consumers, fleet operators, transport unions and investors seeking to acquire clean-energy vehicles or develop supporting infrastructure.

Road safety was also highlighted, with calls for specialised training for road safety officers, firefighters, emergency responders and mechanics handling EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.

The summit urged sustained public education to discourage motorists from patronising uncertified conversion centres and using substandard equipment. It also encouraged collaboration among universities, research institutions, technical colleges and industry to develop the skills required for the emerging clean-mobility economy.

The stakeholders called on the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies to remove bottlenecks affecting Federal Government incentives, including applicable duty waivers for EVs.

They stressed the need to harmonise customs, fiscal, tax and automotive policies to provide regulatory certainty, boost investor confidence and attract long-term investment.

While commending the Federal Government for the momentum generated by the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, the stakeholders urged sustained implementation and consistent, investment-friendly policies.

They expressed confidence that faster implementation would accelerate Nigeria’s shift to cleaner transportation, deepen local manufacturing, attract investment, create skilled jobs, strengthen energy security and position the country as a leading African hub for sustainable mobility.