The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has identified unreliable power supply as one of the foremost obstacles hindering the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Nigeria. Speaking during a webinar hosted by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the agency also highlighted high vehicle costs, limited charging infrastructure, and low public awareness as critical barriers to Nigeria’s electric mobility transition.
Dr Mukaila Oseni, Director of Operations, Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, positioned Nigeria’s EV adoption journey within a global context, citing the International Energy Agency’s forecast of 145 million electric vehicles worldwide by 2030.
He warned that without urgent interventions, Nigeria risks lagging behind in the global energy transition.
“Electric vehicles are crucial for diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix, lowering long-term transportation costs, and reducing emissions,” Oseni said.
“However, unreliable grid electricity, high costs, and a lack of adequate infrastructure continue to slow progress.
We must leverage existing downstream networks, such as fuel retail stations, to establish EV charging hubs supported by mini grids for reliability.”
The discussion also tied EV adoption to Nigeria’s Decade of Gas strategy, emphasizing that compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can serve as transitional fuels while EV infrastructure scales up.
MEMAN CEO and Executive Secretary, Clement Isong, highlighted that twelve EV charging and battery swapping stations, along with five after-sales facilities, have already been established nationwide.
He stressed that solar-powered charging, battery swapping networks, and scaling two- and three-wheeler EVs present viable entry points for mass adoption.
Isong called for collaboration between regulators, investors, and private sector actors to create a sustainable platform for knowledge sharing and growth in the sector.
Mohammed Mundu, Director of Energy Utilisation at the Energy Commission of Nigeria, noted that existing filling stations could serve as ideal charging points due to their excess power capacity. He also emphasized integrating solar energy to ensure cost-effective and sustainable operations.
Meanwhile, Abdullahi Ayinde, Director of Vehicle Electrification at the National Automotive Design and Development Council, cautioned that Nigeria’s EV strategy must be demand-driven.
He pointed to a decline in local automotive content from 40% in the 1980s to under 10% today and stressed the importance of policies that stimulate sustainable market demand.
John Francis, Group Head of Electrical/Electronics at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), highlighted the need for urgent standards to safeguard consumers and investors.
He warned that unregulated EV models are already emerging in states such as Borno, with incompatible technologies posing risks of market fragmentation.
SON is aligning with the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan and international bodies to ensure a safe and competitive environment.
On financing, Akinyemi Alebiosu, Climate Finance Manager at the Nigeria Off-grid Market Acceleration Programme, described EV adoption as inevitable, noting that overdependence on imported used vehicles, high transport costs, currency depreciation, and fuel price volatility are pushing Nigeria toward cleaner transport solutions.
He projected that West Africa could host nearly 9.9 million EVs by 2050, requiring an estimated $20 billion in infrastructure investment, with Nigeria leading demand.
Alebiosu advocated for blended finance models to mobilize private sector capital and cited successful pilots such as Lagos e-buses and a Nigerian bank replacing its fleet with EVs.
As Nigeria seeks to accelerate its electric mobility transition, experts agree that coordinated efforts across government agencies, private investors, and industry stakeholders will be critical to overcoming infrastructure, financial, and regulatory challenges.