The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has launched the Electric Vehicle Bus Competition, engaging Nigerian universities in vehicle development to boost local automotive innovation. The initiative, unveiled at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Design Studio, aims to foster research, encourage the use of indigenous materials, and position Nigeria as a player in the global electric vehicle market.
NADDC Director-General Joseph Osanipin stated that the competition challenges universities to develop electric vehicles comparable to those produced in advanced economies like China and the United States. He emphasized that many Nigerians abroad excel due to access to resources and support, and NADDC is committed to creating a similar platform locally.
The competition’s first phase involves 12 universities from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, tasked with designing and producing eight-seater campus shuttle buses. Participating institutions include Ahmadu Bello University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Port Harcourt, University of Benin, University of Ilorin, and University of Abuja.
Osanipin explained that after the design phase, selected teams would collaborate with private sector partners, assemblers, and manufacturers to build the vehicles. The competition’s jury will include representatives from vehicle manufacturing and assembly companies nationwide.
Looking ahead, NADDC plans to extend the initiative to polytechnics and technical colleges to involve a broader spectrum of engineering and technical expertise. “Beyond engineers, technologists, and technicians, other professionals will also play a role in the vehicle manufacturing process,” Osanipin noted.
NADDC’s Director of Vehicle Electrification, Abdullahi Ayinde, highlighted that the project would equip students with fundamental project management skills, expose them to global standards, and encourage cost-effective sourcing of local materials. He urged participants to collaborate creatively to develop sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s transport sector.
The Dean of UNILAG’s Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Oluropo Adeosun, expressed confidence in the initiative’s impact, citing a previous successful bus-building project led by the university despite funding challenges. UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Bola Oboh, commended the project for involving first- and second-generation universities. She also emphasized the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, reinforcing UNILAG’s commitment to sustainability.
With this competition, NADDC aims to stimulate homegrown automotive innovation, nurture talent, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards electric mobility, aligning with global
