The Chairman of the Auto and Allied Sector Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Femi Eguaikhide, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector to overcome policy and operational bottlenecks slowing Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation through Compressed Natural Gas, CNG and Electric Vehicles, EV.

Speaking at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit in Lagos on Thursday, Eguaikhide said the success of the Federal Government’s clean mobility initiative would depend on sustained stakeholder collaboration, policy consistency and the removal of regulatory obstacles discouraging investment in the sector.

The summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) under the theme, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,” brought together policymakers, regulators, automotive manufacturers, financiers, transport operators, researchers, safety agencies and development partners to chart a roadmap for accelerating Nigeria’s clean transportation agenda.

Eguaikhide said while the Federal Government had demonstrated commitment to promoting alternative energy solutions through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Pi-CNG & EV, greater coordination between government institutions and private investors would be required to translate policy objectives into measurable outcomes.

According to him, the automotive industry remains a strategic driver of industrialisation, employment and economic growth, making it imperative for government agencies to work closely with manufacturers, assemblers, financiers and technology providers to eliminate regulatory hurdles and create a business-friendly environment.

He noted that policy implementation must be supported by regular stakeholder engagement capable of identifying and resolving challenges affecting vehicle conversion, local manufacturing, financing, infrastructure development and investment.

Eguaikhide stressed that Nigeria possesses enormous opportunities to build a competitive clean mobility ecosystem, but warned that fragmented policies and institutional bottlenecks could slow the country’s progress if not urgently addressed.

He urged government agencies to strengthen engagement with the organised private sector in order to develop practical solutions that would accelerate the deployment of CNG infrastructure, electric vehicle charging facilities and local automotive production.

Earlier, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Nigeria’s clean mobility ecosystem through increased investment in infrastructure, local manufacturing and strategic partnerships.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Pi-CNG & EV, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, the Initiative’s Chief Compliance Officer, Engr. Zayyanu Tamberi Yabo, said Nigeria’s clean mobility programme has evolved into a major pillar of the Tinubu administration’s transport and energy strategy.

According to Ahmed, the Presidential Initiative was established not merely to promote alternative fuels but to build an integrated ecosystem supporting infrastructure development, investment, vehicle conversion, local manufacturing, technical capacity building and consumer confidence.

“Our approach from the beginning has been to build the foundations of a sustainable industry rather than pursue isolated interventions,” he said.

He disclosed that certified CNG conversion centres have expanded significantly across the country over the past two years, while new refuelling stations are being developed through public and private sector investments.

Ahmed added that vehicle conversions continue to increase as commercial transport operators and private motorists embrace CNG because of its lower operating costs.

He also highlighted collaborations with financial institutions, energy companies and automobile manufacturers aimed at improving access to financing and encouraging wider adoption of clean mobility technologies.

Despite the progress, he identified infrastructure expansion, consumer financing, local manufacturing capacity, technical training, research, innovation and standardisation as critical areas requiring sustained attention.

Earlier in his welcome address, NAJA Chairman Theodore Opara described the summit as a strategic platform for shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

He said reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration had generated fresh momentum around CNG, electric vehicles and local automotive manufacturing, stressing that stronger collaboration among government, industry players and the media would be crucial to sustaining the gains.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, represented by Engr. Olalekan Omoniyi, said internationally recognised standards and strict regulatory compliance would determine the success of Nigeria’s transition to EVs and CNG-powered transportation.

He disclosed that SON has developed more than 80 Nigerian Industrial Standards for CNG vehicles and equipment, alongside 87 additional standards and the National Nigeria Guideline (NNG 1214:2024) for CNG vehicle conversions.

Omoniyi warned against the proliferation of uncertified conversion centres and substandard equipment, urging compulsory certification for imported and locally assembled EVs, CNG vehicles, conversion kits and charging infrastructure.

Similarly, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, said Nigeria’s clean mobility transition must be anchored on robust road safety measures.

He noted that the FRSC is strengthening safety regulations, stakeholder engagement and operational frameworks to support the growing deployment of CNG and electric vehicles across the country.

The summit concluded with a consensus among stakeholders that Nigeria has the potential to emerge as a regional leader in clean mobility if government, regulators and the private sector sustain collaboration on infrastructure development, investment, policy implementation and standards enforcement.