By Atoyebi Nike
The Senate on Wednesday passed the Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill, 2025 for second reading, marking a major step toward creating a national framework for electric vehicle adoption, manufacturing, and regulation. Sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), the bill aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fossil fuels and establish the country as a leading hub for green mobility in Africa.
Senators across party lines supported the proposal, noting the urgency of cleaner transport systems as carbon emissions rise in major cities. Kalu said the bill would transform Nigeria’s automobile and energy sectors, create jobs and ensure local industries benefit from the global shift toward electric vehicles.
The bill proposes tax holidays, import duty waivers, toll exemptions, subsidies, and mandatory installation of EV charging points at fuel stations nationwide. It also includes strong local content requirements: foreign automakers must partner with licensed Nigerian assemblers and set up assembly plants within three years. By 2030, they must source at least 30% of components locally or face suspension and fines of up to ₦250 million per violation. Unauthorized EV imports could attract penalties of ₦500 million per shipment.
Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Ngwu and Titus Zam highlighted the bill’s environmental, economic, and competitiveness benefits, arguing that Nigeria must keep pace with global mobility trends and tap into its own mineral resources, including lithium.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the legislation as aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Industry for further review and is expected to return in four weeks.
