Important players in Nigeria’s automotive sector have expressed concern about safety flaws endangering the nation’s switch to electric and compressed natural gas vehicles, cautioning that lax regulations, insufficient testing facilities, and low public awareness could jeopardize the Federal Government’s clean mobility agenda.
The Nigerian Standards Organization cautioned that safety mishaps could undermine public trust and deter much-needed investment in the developing sector unless immediate action is taken to tighten standards enforcement and remove uncertified products from the market.
In order to make sure Nigeria complies with international safety and operating standards, the Federal Road Safety Corps said that it is creating Standard Operating Procedures for the deployment and regulation of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.
The issues were brought up during the third Nigeria Auto Industry Summit, which was held over the weekend in Lagos by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association and the National Automotive Design and Development Council.
“Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the President Bola Tinubu Administration” was the summit’s subject.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General of SON, stated in a paper at the summit that Nigeria’s shift to greener transportation would only be successful if stringent regulations, public trust, and severe standards were given top priority.
The head of SON, represented by Olalekan Omoniyi, the agency’s Deputy-Director of Research and Statistics, emphasized that although CNG and electric car technologies are widely acknowledged as safe, the use of uncertified components and subpar installation techniques might transform them into major risks.
“When CNG and EV technologies are designed, manufactured, installed, and maintained in accordance with recognized national and international standards, they are inherently safe,” he stated.
However, when uncertified goods and subpar installation techniques are permitted to enter the market, they become hazardous. Adherence to defined standards is essential to the system’s overall integrity.
Recalling the explosion of a CNG cylinder in an Audi 80 at a filling station along the Benin-Auchi Expressway in Edo State, Omoniyi stated that investigations linked the incident to the use of an uncertified cylinder and noncompliance with the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Installation Standard, NNG 1214:2024.
He noted that the increasing entry of grey-market CNG cylinders and conversion kits had surpassed regulatory inspection and enforcement, identifying the growth of unofficial vehicle conversion centers as one of the biggest challenges facing the industry.
“The Nigerian standards framework for electric vehicles is still evolving, especially in areas related to battery safety, charging interoperability, battery recycling, and second-life applications,” he stated.
Standards must adapt to the quickly changing global technological landscape. Furthermore, high-voltage battery evaluation and high-pressure cylinder testing necessitate ongoing investments in state-of-the-art labs and highly qualified technical staff.
Omoniyi reassured Nigerians that the government’s clean mobility program is safe as long as approved installation methods and certified items are used.
“We want Nigerians to trust this initiative.” EVs and CNG that have been certified are dependable, safe, and constructed in accordance with accepted quality standards. Fake goods and unlicensed installers are what we need to get rid of,” he continued.
Speaking as well, Shehu Mohammed, the FRSC’s Corps Marshal, stated that the organization was establishing operational frameworks that would ensure the nationwide acceptance of cleaner transportation technology and their safe introduction.
He asserts that Nigeria’s shift to alternative fuel cars must continue to prioritize road safety.
“As cleaner mobility gains momentum, regulatory institutions must evolve alongside emerging technologies,” Mohammed stated.
“With improved safety standards, stakeholder involvement, and the creation of Standard Operating Procedures for EVs and CNG-powered cars, the FRSC is already positioning itself to facilitate the transition.
“In addition to lowering emissions, cleaner mobility should strengthen vehicle regulations, increase road safety, and boost public trust in these cutting-edge technologies.”
According to Mohammed, the Corps is working with pertinent government organizations and business partners to make sure that road safety laws keep up with advancements in automobile technology.
Theodore Opara, the chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, had earlier described the summit as a strategic venue for charting the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry rather than just an industry event.
He warned that Nigeria cannot afford to fall behind as other nations adopt cleaner transportation technologies to lower carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and build more sustainable economies.
Opara stated, “This summit is more than an industry conference.”
“It is a strategic platform to shape the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry,” he continued. Nigeria needs to speed its transition if it wants to stay competitive and take full advantage of the potential that clean mobility presents. The global automotive landscape is evolving quickly.
