As Nigeria commemorates 65 years of independence, the focus is shifting towards a deeper form of autonomy-one that transcends political freedom to embrace economic empowerment and industrial self-sufficiency. In this transformative journey, NEV Electric Ltd is emerging as a pivotal force in revolutionizing the nation’s transportation landscape by leveraging indigenous manufacturing and renewable energy solutions to address the challenges of mass transit.
Historically, Nigeria’s public transportation has depended largely on imported vehicles powered by fossil fuels, leaving commuters vulnerable to fluctuating fuel prices and escalating expenses. NEV Electric is rewriting this story by adopting a comprehensive approach that integrates local assembly, enhanced domestic content in manufacturing, and the rollout of sustainable infrastructure.
Currently, NEV Electric produces electric buses with approximately 30% Nigerian-made components, including materials and labor, with an ambitious plan to increase this figure to 70% as local supply chains mature. This approach not only retains more economic value within the country but also stimulates industrial development, creates employment opportunities, and facilitates the transfer of advanced technologies.
“Genuine independence is about our ability to conceive, manufacture, and energize our transportation needs using homegrown resources,” explains Mosope Olaosebikan, the visionary behind NEV Electric. “Our mission goes beyond assembling buses; we are crafting Nigeria’s sustainable transport future through innovation, clean energy, and resilient systems.”
To date, NEV Electric has locally assembled over 120 electric buses, with plans to expand production to 300 units in the near future. Complementing this fleet expansion, the company is installing Nigeria’s largest network of 160kW fast chargers in key cities like Abuja and Lagos, enhancing operational efficiency and alleviating concerns about vehicle range for operators.
In an effort to make electric transportation accessible, NEV Electric has launched a Pay-As-You-Drive financing scheme. This innovative model allows transport operators and government bodies to transition to electric vehicles without the burden of hefty initial investments. The package includes the bus, charging services, maintenance, and battery leasing, all consolidated into a manageable monthly payment, simplifying the shift to cleaner transit options.
Beyond manufacturing, NEV Electric is committed to nurturing local talent by offering specialized training programs for Nigerian engineers and technicians in electric vehicle assembly, upkeep, and retrofitting-equipping a new workforce skilled in green technologies.
Aligned with Nigeria’s broader industrialization ambitions, NEV Electric is positioning the country as a leading electric mobility hub within Africa. The company envisions extending its reach beyond national borders by exporting electric buses and related technologies to neighboring African nations, thereby contributing to the continent’s shift towards sustainable transportation.
By fusing local production, charging infrastructure, and creative financing solutions, NEV Electric delivers a comprehensive, homegrown answer to Nigeria’s urban transit challenges-one that cuts emissions, reduces operational expenses, and builds indigenous expertise.
As Nigeria charts a course toward a greener and more self-reliant future, NEV Electric embodies the spirit of a new independence-crafted by Nigerians, manufactured in Nigeria, and destined to serve Africa.
“Each bus we produce symbolizes the potential within our grasp,” Olaosebikan affirms. “We are demonstrating that Nigeria can spearhead Africa’s clean mobility revolution-not by importing innovation, but by creating it.”