By Justina Okpanku
Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole has commended the commitment of domestic investors in the country.
She said the new effort by SAGLEV Electomobility Company Limited, and Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant, “an offshoot of years of planning, training and partnership” will add value.
She noted that SAGLEV’s vehicles consume 80 per cent less energy than traditional combustion models.
The minister and the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development (NADDC), Mr. Joseph Osanipin, were able to visit the SAGLEV Electomobility Company Limited, and Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant in Imota near Ikorodu in Lagos State recently.
The duo gave their nod to new achievement, saying that a self-sustaining electric vehicle ecosystem will empower Nigerian workers, educate a new generation of technicians as well as offer affordable mobility solutions for citizens.
A day later, after their landmark visit last Wednesday, the former president of African Development Bank (AfDB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina also visited the facility, joining the list of personalities from the financial institutions and other sectors of the economy, who went to see things for themselves.
Everyone’s commenting and making jokes about electric vehicles probably without even thinking it will be a reality in Nigeria.
There is compelling evidence that the company was working in the past five years and there’s something on ground to show for it completely.
“Where has the company been all these while? Did you say electric vehicle ( EV) drivers will charge their vehicles at home?” asked a friend who nearly fell off her chair when she heard about the EV now assembled in Ikorodu.
It was also a pleasant surprise to everyone including the government officials as they embarked on a facility tour of SAGLEV plant that day.
Oduwole said young Nigerians would be able to enjoy the vehicle, encouraging them to embrace credit opportunities to become EV owners and entrepreneurs.
Celebrating the company’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Nigeria First’ industrial policy, which prioritises homegrown enterprises, the minister said “This is affordable. This is sustainable. It’s what can jumpstart transportation logistics in Nigeria.”
As Africa’s first EV-only assembly plant, SAGLEV boasts an annual production capacity of at least 2,500 vehicles and serves as the exclusive African partner of Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Asia’s second-largest auto manufacturer.
Chairman of SAGLEV, Dr. Gbenga Faleye said the company is committed to driving electric mobility in Nigeria and across Africa despite trade and infrastructure challenges.
Faleye called attention to the cost-efficiency and durability of electric vehicles.
“Many Nigerians are unaware that EVs reduce maintenance costs by up to 60 per cent and eliminate the need for oil changes,” he said.
He added that” With just 40 moving parts compared to thousands in traditional vehicles, the reliability of EVs represents a game-changing shift.”
SAGLEV plant exclusively produces four-wheeled EVs and maintains stringent standards for after sales support, spare parts availability, and technician education.
“We said we won’t go public, after -sales must be there, parts must be there and we have the pedigree of having Dongfeng Motor Corporation as our partner.
“We’re not just building cars we’re building capacity, knowledge, and a new automotive identity for Africa,” he also stated.
During the visit, he highlighted high consumer interest, stressing the urgent need for government-led financing programmes and widespread charging infrastructure.
He said: “80 per cent of EV drivers will charge at home, but systems must be in place to support broader access.
“If you’re an investor and you truly love this country, we inv
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ite you to focus on opportunities, not obstacles,” he told one journalist, asking him about the challenges being faced.
He listed importation delays among the pressing challenges, citing issues such as misclassification of Harmonised System (HS) codes, underutilisation of digital clearance systems, and the bottleneck at Lagos ports.
“These have resulted in key shipments of Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) components sitting idle, stalling the assembly of customer-ordered vehicles,” he said.
He continued, “Currently, five containers of Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) EV parts remain stuck at the port, causing delivery delays to customers who’ve already placed orders.”
The minister reiterated the administration’s focus on improving trade logistics through initiatives like the National Single Window, a digital platform aimed at streamlining import-export operations by 2026.
The minister endorsed the reform agenda for small and medium-sized enterprises and urged Nigerians to support local manufacturing: “Patriotic buying is not just a slogan, it’s a strategy for inclusive growth”.
SAGLEV has the ambition to expand production and export EVs to African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), further positioning Nigeria as a leader in sustainable transportation across the continent.
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