Auto Stakeholders Meet in Lagos to Advance Nigeria's EV, CNG Agenda

Nigeria’s drive towards cleaner, more affordable and sustainable transportation will take centre stage on Thursday, July 31, as key players in the automotive industry gather in Lagos for the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU 2026).

The summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), will be held at the Radisson Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, under the theme: “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration.”

The event is expected to bring together government officials, automotive manufacturers, vehicle assemblers, regulators, financial institutions, fleet operators, technology providers, investors and development partners to examine the country’s transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation.

Discussions will focus on policy direction, investment opportunities, infrastructure development, financing models, local manufacturing, technology transfer and consumer adoption, as stakeholders seek practical solutions to accelerate Nigeria’s clean mobility agenda.

Major industry players expected at the summit include Weststar Associates Limited, TNL, Jetour, Carloha Nigeria, Simba Group, Cedric Masters Group, Coscharis Motors and LSM, alongside representatives of relevant government agencies and private sector organisations.

A major highlight of the event will be the keynote address by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who is expected to speak on road safety, regulatory reforms and the safe integration of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles into Nigeria’s transport system.

Other presentations will address emerging safety standards, infrastructure requirements and policy initiatives needed to support the country’s transition to cleaner mobility while ensuring public safety.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), Theodore Opara, described the event as one of the country’s leading platforms for policy dialogue and industry engagement on the future of the automotive sector.

According to him, this year’s edition comes at a critical period as Nigeria pursues cleaner energy alternatives and reforms aimed at reducing transportation costs, promoting local vehicle manufacturing and attracting investments into sustainable mobility.

He said the summit would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to assess ongoing government initiatives, exchange ideas and develop practical recommendations that would strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry.

> “The Nigeria Auto Industry Summit has evolved into a credible platform for policy dialogue and industry engagement. This year’s theme reflects the growing importance of electric mobility and CNG adoption as Nigeria seeks to build a more sustainable, competitive and environmentally friendly transport sector. We are bringing together key decision-makers and industry players to discuss practical solutions that will accelerate this transition,” Opara said.

Chairman of the NAISU 2026 Planning Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu, said preparations had been concluded for a successful summit that would generate meaningful discussions and actionable outcomes for the industry.

He noted that the organising committee had assembled an impressive lineup of speakers, exhibitors and stakeholders to enrich conversations on automotive innovation, investment opportunities, clean energy transition and regulatory development.

> “We are pleased with the level of support and interest shown by stakeholders across the automotive ecosystem. This year’s summit will not only examine government policies on EVs and CNG but also explore financing, infrastructure development, local manufacturing, technology transfer and consumer adoption.

> “Participants should expect insightful discussions that will contribute to the future of mobility in Nigeria,” Bisiriyu stated.

Industry stakeholders believe the summit comes at a pivotal time as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to promote alternative fuel vehicles through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) and other clean-energy policies aimed at reducing dependence on petrol and lowering transportation costs.

Participants are expected to deliberate on electric vehicle infrastructure, CNG conversion, investment opportunities, financing models, local content development, road safety, consumer awareness and policy frameworks needed to drive Nigeria’s clean mobility agenda.

Organisers expressed confidence that the summit would produce far-reaching recommendations to support the modernisation of Nigeria’s automotive industry, attract investment and position Nigeria as a leading clean mobility hub in Africa.