The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the second reading of a bill designed to accelerate the country’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and foster green mobility.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to support EV adoption, local manufacturing, environmental sustainability, and economic diversification.
Leading the debate, Kalu said the bill would serve as a roadmap for Nigeria’s gradual shift from petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles to cleaner, environmentally friendly alternatives.
He noted that the transport sector currently accounts for between 25 and 30 per cent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, with over 12 million registered vehicles still dependent on fossil fuels.
"The bill aligns with global best practices and supports Nigeria’s international environmental commitments," Kalu said, adding that several advanced and developing nations were already embracing similar policies.
According to him, countries such as Norway plan to achieve full electric mobility by 2030, while South Africa and Kenya have adopted national EV frameworks to guide implementation.
"Nigeria risks being left behind without decisive action," he warned.
Kalu also listed the economic prospects of the proposed legislation, citing projections that value the global EV industry at over 1.5 trillion dollars by 2030.
He said Nigeria, with its vast mineral deposits such as lithium and nickel, stands to benefit immensely from local EV and battery manufacturing, which could create jobs and reduce import dependency.
Supporting the bill, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC–Kebbi) described it as timely, saying that major urban centres like Lagos and Kano would gain from reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the initiative, calling it "a good innovation," and referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Industries for further legislative work.
The committee is expected to report back in four weeks.
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