Nigeria’s EV bill is ambitious, but detached from reality

The proposed Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill currently before the National Assembly has sparked significant public interest, not least because of its bold vision. The legislation aims to position Nigeria within the global shift toward electric mobility, promising a cleaner, more sustainable future powered by innovation and green technology.

It is an encouraging sign that Nigerian lawmakers are engaging with long-term global trends. The urgency of climate change and the evolving landscape of transportation demand forward-looking thinking. However, as we consider such ambitions, it is equally important to reflect on our current realities.

While electric vehicles (EVs) represent a necessary evolution in the global automotive sector, the infrastructure and conditions required to support them are not yet in place in Nigeria. Nations leading in EV adoption, such as China, the United States, and members of the European Union, have made enormous investments in energy supply, charging networks, battery research, and manufacturing capacity. These efforts have been bolstered by consistent policy implementation, strong industrial bases, and wide public support.

Nigeria, however, continues to face challenges that cannot be overlooked. Our national electricity grid is often unstable, with frequent outages that affect homes, industries, and services. Large segments of the population still lack access to reliable power. In this context, the rollout of electric vehicles presents practical concerns: where will the necessary charging infrastructure be built, and how will it function without dependable electricity?

It is also important to recall that similar energy transition efforts, such as the move toward Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, have yet to fully materialise despite Nigeria’s abundant gas resources. These experiences remind us that policy success depends not only on vision, but on careful implementation, infrastructure development, and institutional coordination.

Moreover, key raw materials required for EV production, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, exist in Nigeria, but current extraction practices are marred by inadequate regulation, illegal mining, and security concerns. A long-term EV strategy would require not only securing these resources but also investing in local processing and value addition, rather than continuing to export them in raw form.

Our manufacturing and research capacities must also be considered. Nigeria’s industrial base requires revitalisation, and support for research and development in our universities and technical institutions must become a national priority. Without a solid base for innovation and technical training, the dream of domestic EV production will remain out of reach.

This is not to dismiss the proposed bill, but to encourage a phased and realistic approach. Policymakers may wish to focus first on strengthening the power sector, supporting energy diversification through natural gas, and incentivising industrial research in cleaner technologies. These steps would lay the essential groundwork for a successful transition to electric mobility.

Transparency, stakeholder consultation, and clear implementation timelines will be critical. It is also advisable for legislators to engage with experts in the automotive, energy, and environmental sectors to ensure that the bill is both aspirational and achievable.

Nigeria’s path to a green transport future must be carefully paved. By focusing on foundational reforms and long-term capacity building, we can move from aspiration to achievement, on a timeline that respects both our ambitions and our present circumstances.

There is no doubt that electric vehicles will become a key part of Nigeria’s future. With the right planning and investment, this future can be built sustainably, inclusively, and successfully.