- Safiu Kehinde
A bill for Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility, has being passed by the Senate for its second reading.
The bill seeks, which seek to create a national framework for Nigeria’s shift to electric vehicles (EVs), promote local manufacturing and strengthen the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability, was passed by the Red Chamber during Senate plenary session on Wednesday.
Sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), the bill reportedly received broad support as lawmakers who suggested strategies for transitioning to electric mobility through local content development, foreign partnerships and nationwide charging infrastructure.
Kalu, in his argument, said the law aims to transform Nigeria’s automotive and energy sectors, foster innovation and create jobs across the manufacturing value chain.
He noted that the bill provides tax holidays, import duty waivers, toll exemptions, subsidies and road tax reliefs for EV users and investors. It also mandates the installation of charging stations in all fuel outlets nationwide.
According to reports, a key provision requires foreign automakers to partner with licensed Nigerian assemblers and establish local assembly plants within three years, with at least 30 percent local content sourcing by 2030.
Violations could attract fines of up to 250 million naira per breach, while unlicensed EV importers risk 500 million naira fines and goods confiscatio
The bill also seeks to make Nigeria a hub for EV manufacturing in Africa by mandating that assemblers produce a minimum of 5,000 units annually and meet international safety and technical standards.
In his remark, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, described it as a forward-looking legislative effort aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification and clean energy agenda.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Industry for further review and is expected to return to the chamber within four weeks.