- President Bola Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s aim to lead Africa in the global electric vehicle revolution by leveraging abundant lithium deposits
- Tinubu praised NASENI’s efforts, highlighting the new CNG facility as a step towards diversifying energy sources and promoting domestic manufacturing
President Bola Tinubu announced on Friday in Abuja that Nigeria aims to become Africa’s global electric vehicle revolution leader. During the commissioning of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion, Filling, Reverse Engineering, and Training Centre in Utako, Abuja, he emphasized his administration’s commitment to diversifying energy sources for Nigeria’s transport sector.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s abundant lithium ore deposits, which are essential for electric vehicle and battery manufacturing. He stated, “Electric vehicles are a significant part of our strategy alongside gas. NASENI is leading efforts in this direction to develop and produce lithium batteries in collaboration with foreign partners. We will make Nigeria the African hub for the global electric vehicle revolution.”
Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s lithium resources position the country advantageously for electric vehicle development. He underscored the ongoing efforts towards the Presidential Initiative on CNG, with the new NASENI facility demonstrating the success of these initiatives.
The president also shared his vision of promoting domestic manufacturing and reducing import dependency, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s potential to become a global industrial and manufacturing force. He praised the achievements of NASENI’s new management, seeing the facility’s development as fulfilling the vision of NASENI’s founders to create a beneficial institution for Nigerians and the economy.
NASENI CEO Khalil Halilu highlighted the facility’s strategic location in Utako, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ‘s transport hub, which connects it to the rest of the country.