Electric car (EV) producers and entrepreneurs in Nigeria have accused authorities ministries, departments and businesses (MDAs) of making use of double requirements in implementing the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy, alleging that public establishments proceed to patronise foreign-made vehicles regardless of the directive to prioritise regionally produced alternate options.
The policy is meant to advertise Nigerian-made and regionally assembled merchandise by means of public procurement, probably creating a major marketplace for home producers.
However, trade gamers say continued purchases of foreign vehicles, together with Chinese-made fashions, increase questions in regards to the consistency of its implementation.
The issues come as Nigerian EV companies search higher entry to authorities contracts to help funding, develop meeting operations and develop the broader electrical mobility worth chain. Manufacturers argue that procurement choices ought to assist construct home capability whereas permitting native companies to compete on value, expertise and reliability.
EV makers query Nigeria First policy
Speaking with Nairametrics, Chairman of Roxettes Group, Dr Kaycee Orji, stated authorities car procurement appeared inconsistent with its acknowledged dedication to supporting native producers.
- “Our major concern is the double standards in government policy and the failure to practise what the government preaches,” Orji stated.
He argued that whereas the Nigeria First policy encourages public establishments to patronise home producers, some officers proceed to make use of foreign-made vehicles and MDAs buy imported alternate options.
- “I do not think that makes sense,” he stated.
Orji stated authorities procurement might present native EV producers with a reliable market, enabling them to develop manufacturing, appeal to funding and develop supporting infrastructure.
He known as for financing preparations that might make EVs extra inexpensive to drivers and fleet operators, alongside incentives for native meeting, expertise switch and job creation. He additionally advocated import-duty reduction for important manufacturing gear and parts, as effectively as personal funding in charging stations, renewable vitality and battery storage.
According to Orji, a coordinated strategy to affordability, financing, infrastructure and manufacturing prices would enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian EV companies and strengthen their skill to compete with imported vehicles.
Local EV makers face import competitors
Abuja-based EV marketer, Engr. Raheem Adebolu, additionally questioned the circumstances under which Nigerian producers are anticipated to compete with worldwide car producers.
- “The Chinese compete with local producers when they don’t have the same production costs like we do in Nigeria. How do they want us to compete?” Adebolu requested.
His issues replicate the fee pressures going through home producers, together with bills related to importing parts, securing financing, establishing meeting services and creating after-sales service networks.
Abuja-based automotive technician Cyril Baros of Auto Mobility Services additionally highlighted the variations between established worldwide provide chains and the circumstances going through Nigerian assemblers.
- “Chinese automotive manufacturers operate in a market with substantial production capacity and established supply chains. Nigerian assemblers, by comparison, may face additional costs arising from infrastructure constraints, foreign exchange exposure and dependence on imported components,” Baros stated.
These variations can affect the ultimate costs of vehicles provided to authorities businesses and personal consumers, probably affecting the power of native companies to win procurement contracts.
Civil Servants query native EV availability
During visits to chose MDAs, together with workplaces on the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, Nairametrics sought to ascertain why foreign-made vehicles proceed to characteristic in authorities procurement and the way acquainted officers are with regionally assembled EVs.
Some civil servants who spoke anonymously advised that procurement choices could possibly be influenced by car costs, availability and the manufacturing capability of native producers.
A civil servant on the Federal Ministry of Health advised that Chinese-made vehicles could possibly be profitable contracts as a result of of their comparatively decrease costs in contrast with regionally produced alternate options. The official expressed hope that Nigerian producers would turn into extra aggressive as the home automotive trade develops.
Another civil servant, recognized as Mr Muhammed, stated he was unfamiliar with many Nigerian EV producers and the vehicles they produce.
Nairametrics made a number of makes an attempt to achieve the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) for touch upon the issues raised by EV trade gamers, however the makes an attempt have been unsuccessful as of the time of submitting this report.
EV Policy faces procurement take a look at
The implementation of Nigeria First comes amid broader authorities efforts to encourage alternative-fuel vehicles and scale back transportation prices.
In May 2025, the Presidency announced plans to bar MDAs from procuring foreign items and companies the place native alternate options exist, as beforehand reported by Nairametrics. The effectiveness of the directive will rely partly on how businesses translate it into procurement plans, tender specs and contract awards.
Meanwhile, a legislative proposal recognized as the Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, outlines measures meant to encourage native participation within the EV market.
- The invoice consists of necessities for foreign EV producers to function by means of registered native partnerships, set up meeting vegetation inside three years of commencing operations and supply a minimum of 30% of car parts regionally by 2030.
- The proposal additionally outlines licensing necessities for native producers, importers, distributors and sellers, as effectively as penalties for sure violations. Its legislative standing needs to be confirmed earlier than these provisions are introduced as binding legislation.
The debate comes as Nigeria’s passenger motor automobile imports surged 145.6% year-on-year to N1.18 trillion within the first half of 2026, in accordance with Nairametrics’ earlier report. The improve highlights the dimensions of demand for imported vehicles and the problem going through native producers in search of a bigger share of the market.
For EV companies, the central query is whether or not procurement guidelines, import incentives and native manufacturing insurance policies will work collectively to create a aggressive home trade.
