In a bold move to promote clean energy and sustainable transportation, the Federal Government of Nigeria has launched an innovative national university competition to accelerate the design and eventual production of locally made electric vehicles (EVs). The landmark initiative, spearheaded by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), is a significant step in Nigeria’s journey toward zero-emission transportation.
The competition, titled the 8-Seater Electric Campus Shuttle Challenge, brought together 12 universities from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. In a thrilling final hosted at the Innovation Hub of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the University of Benin (UNIBEN) emerged victorious, clinching the N5 million top prize.
Speaking during the event, NADDC Director-General, Oluwemimo Osanipin, emphasized that the contest aligns with the federal government’s green mobility goals under its Renewed Hope Agenda. He explained that the contest not only encouraged innovation but also laid the groundwork for domestic EV manufacturing that meets international standards.
“This initiative is designed to spark a new wave of innovation that leads to actual EV production. Our aim is a future where at least 60% of all EV components are locally sourced,” Osanipin said.
According to him, the competition is structured in two phases: prototype design and full-scale production. UNIBEN, having won phase one, will receive funding and technical support to bring its design to life, potentially making it Nigeria’s first university-developed EV.
Osanipin noted that while awareness around electric vehicles is growing, more action is needed to build confidence in domestic capability. “We want students and institutions to move from concept to product. That’s how nations leap forward,” he said.
Representing the winning team, Emmanuel Ikegwuonu, a mechanical engineering student at UNIBEN, described the project as transformative.
“This competition gave us real-world skills. We faced technical hurdles, but we also learned the power of collaboration, perseverance, and innovation. We now see electric vehicles not just as a trend but as a solution Nigeria can lead in,” Ikegwuonu said.
The team’s design incorporated biomimicry, drawing inspiration from the boxfish for its aerodynamic, stable structure — an innovation that earned praise from the jury.
The Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, represented by Adedamola Odusanya, applauded the collaborative effort between the government, academia, and private sector. He stated that the initiative is part of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), particularly the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), which prioritizes clean mobility and local production.
“The future of Nigeria’s auto industry lies in innovation, local content, and clean energy. This project ticks all those boxes,” Enoh said.
Chairman of the jury, Professor Ibrahim Rufai, said the winning design was selected based on innovation, feasibility, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness. “UNIBEN showed a remarkable grasp of engineering principles and creativity in solving real-world mobility issues,” he noted.
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and the University of Abuja came second and third respectively, winning N4 million and N3 million.
Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, represented by Professor Wale Okunnuga, lauded the federal government’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth and steering the nation toward green technologies.
“This is a win for the environment, a win for education, and a win for national development,” Ogundipe said.
As Nigeria continues its pursuit of energy transition and sustainable development, the NADDC’s electric vehicle contest signals a new era where homegrown technology, policy innovation, and youth engagement converge to drive transformation.