By ebosele@hotmail.com –
Nigeria’s drive towards cleaner, cheaper and more sustainable transportation will take centre stage on Thursday, July 31, as leading automotive industry players, government regulators, investors and mobility experts converge in Lagos for the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU 2026).
The summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), will hold at the Radisson Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
With the theme, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,” the summit is expected to shape the next phase of the country’s transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation.
The high-level forum will bring together senior government officials, automotive manufacturers, vehicle assemblers, regulators, financial institutions, fleet operators, technology providers, investors and development partners to deliberate on opportunities, challenges and policy directions driving Nigeria’s evolving mobility ecosystem.
Major industry players that have confirmed participation include Weststar Associates Limited, TNL, Jetour, Carloha Nigeria, Simba Group, Cedric Masters Group, Coscharis Motors and LSM, alongside representatives of relevant government agencies and private sector organisations.
A major highlight of the summit will be the keynote address by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who is expected to speak on road safety, regulatory reforms and the safe integration of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles into Nigeria’s transport system.
Other presentations will focus on emerging safety standards, charging and refuelling infrastructure, investment opportunities, financing models, local manufacturing, technology transfer and policy initiatives required to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to clean mobility.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), Theodore Opara, described the event as one of the country’s foremost platforms for policy dialogue and industry engagement on the future of the automotive sector.
According to him, this year’s edition comes at a critical period as Nigeria pursues cleaner energy alternatives and implements reforms aimed at reducing transportation costs, promoting local vehicle manufacturing and attracting investment in sustainable mobility.
“The Nigeria Auto Industry Summit has evolved into a credible platform for policy dialogue and industry engagement. This year’s theme reflects the growing importance of electric mobility and CNG adoption as Nigeria seeks to build a more sustainable, competitive and environmentally friendly transport sector. We are bringing together key decision-makers and industry players to discuss practical solutions that will accelerate this transition,” Opara said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the NAISU 2026 Planning Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu, said preparations had been concluded to ensure a successful summit capable of delivering meaningful conversations and actionable outcomes for the industry.
He noted that the organising committee had assembled an impressive lineup of speakers, exhibitors and stakeholders whose expertise would enrich discussions on automotive innovation, investment opportunities, clean energy transition and regulatory development.
“We are pleased with the level of support and interest shown by stakeholders across the automotive ecosystem. This year’s summit will not only examine government policies on EVs and CNG but also explore financing, infrastructure development, local manufacturing, technology transfer and consumer adoption.
“Participants should expect insightful discussions that will contribute to the future of mobility in Nigeria,” Bisiriyu stated.
Industry observers believe the summit comes at a pivotal time as the Federal Government continues to promote alternative fuel vehicles through its Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) and other clean-energy policies aimed at reducing dependence on petrol, lowering transportation costs and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Organisers expressed optimism that the summit would generate practical recommendations to support government efforts to modernise the automotive industry, attract investment and position Nigeria as a leading clean mobility hub in Africa.
