Bukola Afeni
Nigeria is celebrating 65 years of independence, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards economic and industrial self-reliance. As the country looks to the future, local companies like NEV Electric Ltd are playing a crucial role in shaping its vision for a more sustainable and self-sufficient economy.
For decades, Nigeria’s public transport system has relied heavily on imported vehicles and fossil fuels, exposing citizens to fuel price shocks and rising costs. NEV Electric is changing that narrative through an integrated model that combines local assembly, increasing local content manufacturing, and sustainable infrastructure deployment.
The company currently builds its electric buses with 30% local content, incorporating Nigerian components, materials, and labor, with a clear roadmap to reach 70% local content as domestic supply chains expand. This strategy ensures more value remains within the economy, fueling industrial growth, job creation, and technology transfer.
The Founder of NEV Electric Mosope Olaosebikan noted that true independence means being able to design, build, and power what we need with our own hands.
“We are not just assembling buses; we are building Nigeria’s transport future, powered by clean energy, local innovation, and sustainable systems.
“We have assembled over 120 electric buses in country, with plans to scale up to 300 units in its next production phase. The company is also deploying 160kW high-capacity fast chargers across Abuja and Lagos.
“This is the largest in Nigeria to support fleet operations and reduce range anxiety for operators”, he said.
According to him, the team is proving that Nigeria can lead Africa’s clean mobility revolution, not by importing the future, but by building it.
“Every bus we build is a statement of what is possible.To make electric mobility affordable, we introduced a Pay-As-You-Drive financing model that enables transport operators and state agencies to adopt EVs without heavy upfront capital.
” The plan bundles gives access to the bus, charging, maintenance, and battery into one predictable payment, ensuring smooth fleet transition and easier adoption”, he said.
Olaosebikan further added that NEV Electric is investing in training programs for Nigerian engineers and technicians in EV assembly, maintenance, and conversion, empowering a new generation of green-skilled workers.
“Aligned with Nigeria’s industrialization goals, NEV Electric is positioning the country as a regional hub for electric mobility. The company’s vision extends beyond Nigeria, with plans underway to export its electric buses and technology solutions to other African markets, contributing to the continent’s clean mobility transition.
“By integrating local manufacturing, charging infrastructure, and innovative financing, NEV Electric is delivering a homegrown solution to Nigeria’s urban transport need, that reduces emissions, lowers operating costs, and builds local capacity.
The body represents the promise of a new kind of independence, powered by Nigerians, built in Nigeria, and soon exported to Africa.
