The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, has called on private investors to accelerate investments in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to fast-track Nigeria’s transition to clean mobility.
Osanipin, who was represented by Mrs. Taiwo Bisong, Director of Media, made the call at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in Lagos on Thursday.
Speaking on the theme of Nigeria’s clean mobility future, the NADDC boss said the council had been laying the foundation for the country’s transition to cleaner automotive technologies for more than two decades, long before electric vehicles and CNG became mainstream.
According to him, NADDC began introducing mechatronics into Nigeria’s automotive development programme over 20 years ago, anticipating the global shift from conventional fossil fuel-powered vehicles to cleaner energy technologies.
He recalled that the council supported the introduction of one of Nigeria’s first electric vehicles, the Hyundai Kona EV, despite doubts over whether electric vehicles could thrive in the country because of inadequate electricity supply.
“Many people criticised the idea at the time, arguing that Nigeria did not have enough electricity to support electric vehicles. Today, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly visible across the country as awareness and adoption continue to grow,” he said.
Osanipin noted that the global automotive industry is steadily embracing clean energy, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the transition.
He disclosed that NADDC has certified 345 CNG conversion centres across the country and continues to monitor their operations to ensure compliance with safety and technical standards.
The Director-General added that although the number of CNG refuelling stations has grown, Nigeria still requires significantly more facilities to meet increasing demand.
“We want a situation where motorists can drive into any CNG station, refill their tanks without delays and continue their journeys. That is why we are calling on investors to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector,” he said.
Osanipin described CNG as a cleaner, cheaper and more efficient alternative to petrol, noting that CNG-powered vehicles require less maintenance while helping to reduce harmful emissions.
He also urged investors to support the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, saying the shortage of charging stations remains one of the biggest obstacles to widespread EV adoption.
According to him, while NADDC has established some charging stations, government alone cannot provide the nationwide network required to support the growing number of electric vehicles.
He explained that motorists should be able to recharge their vehicles along major highways during long-distance trips, similar to the practice in many developed countries where charging stations are available at regular intervals.
Osanipin noted that the availability of more charging stations would encourage more Nigerians to purchase electric vehicles and travel confidently across the country.
He said NADDC remains committed to revitalising Nigeria’s automotive industry, having made significant progress in promoting local vehicle assembly, while now focusing on positioning the country for the global shift to cleaner transportation.
The Director-General stressed that reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality are essential to protecting public health and creating a more sustainable environment.
He urged investors, industry players and development partners to collaborate with government in expanding CNG and EV infrastructure, saying the transition to clean mobility presents significant economic and environmental opportunities for Nigeria.
