Abuja: The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is establishing a comprehensive safety, regulatory, and enforcement framework to facilitate the seamless adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles across Nigeria. This initiative was revealed by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, during the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NASIU).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit, organized by the Nigeria Auto Journalist Association (NAJA) in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), took place in Lagos. The event focused on ‘Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration’. Mohammed delivered a paper titled ‘The Safety of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles on Nigerian Roads’, emphasizing the FRSC’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).
Mohammed highlighted that Tinubu’s reforms in transportation and energy sectors have set the stage for Nigeria to embrace cleaner and more cost-effective mobility solutions. He noted that these changes have not only accelerated economic growth but also reduced reliance on fossil fuels and promoted environmental sustainability. Success in this initiative, he stated, depends on a robust road safety ecosystem driven by effective regulation, technical standards, public education, and emergency preparedness.
The Corps Marshal detailed the alignment of FRSC’s operations with the Federal Government’s clean energy transportation policy, which includes strengthening vehicle inspection protocols for CNG-powered and converted vehicles. This alignment enhances emergency response capabilities, improves crash reporting through the National Crash Reporting Information System (NACRIS), and intensifies public enlightenment campaigns nationwide on the safe use of emerging vehicle technologies.
Mohammed also disclosed FRSC’s active collaboration with several strategic partners, including the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), the NADDC, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and other key entities. These partnerships aim to develop a comprehensive framework for the safe deployment of Electric and CNG vehicles nationwide.
He elaborated on the operational aspects of the collaboration, such as the operationalisation of the National Gas Vehicle Management System (NGVMS), the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), coordinated inspections, and emergency response protocols. The partnerships also cover initiatives like dedicated EV/CNG number plates, structured data sharing, and sustained public awareness campaigns.
Highlighting the FRSC Mobile Application’s functionalities, Mohammed explained how it assists motorists in adapting to the new mobility regime in Nigeria. He mentioned the ongoing pilot deployment of EVs in Abuja and the critical role of periodic inspections, certification of conversion centers, and specialized training for emergency responders in ensuring a safe transition to clean mobility.
Mohammed underscored the environmental and economic benefits of EVs and CNG vehicles, stressing that innovation must be accompanied by responsibility. He urged vehicle owners, transport operators, and industry players to adhere to safety standards, emphasizing that public safety is central to Nigeria’s clean mobility journey. He commended President Tinubu for his leadership in advancing Nigeria’s clean energy transition and described the administration’s investment in alternative fuel transportation as transformative, with potential to lower transportation costs, enhance energy security, create jobs, and stimulate local automotive development.
The FRSC assured Nigerians of its continued technical leadership, regulatory oversight, and operational support to ensure the RHA on clean transportation delivers its intended benefits for future generations. The summit served as a platform for policymakers, regulators, automobile manufacturers, energy experts, and industry stakeholders to forge a sustainable path for Nigeria’s transportation future.