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Bimpe Adebayo
Nigeria’s push towards cleaner, more affordable transportation will take centre stage on July 30, 2026, as policymakers, automotive industry leaders, energy experts and investors gather in Lagos for the third edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Auto Summit.
The high-level industry forum, scheduled to hold at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, is expected to serve as a critical platform for examining the country’s evolving clean mobility landscape, particularly the growing adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation.
Organised under the theme, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration,” the summit comes amid increasing government efforts to diversify the country’s transportation energy mix and reduce dependence on conventional petrol-powered vehicles.
According to a statement issued by the summit’s organising committee, the event will bring together key stakeholders across the automotive and energy value chains, including government regulators, vehicle manufacturers, transport operators, financiers, energy providers and industry analysts.
The gathering is expected to provide an opportunity for participants to assess the progress made so far in the deployment of EV and CNG technologies while identifying practical solutions to challenges slowing wider adoption across the country.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chairman of NAJA, Theodore Opara, said the summit aims to stimulate meaningful discussions that will translate into actionable strategies capable of reducing transportation costs, strengthening energy security and supporting economic growth.
“Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s largest gas reserves. Expanding CNG infrastructure can provide a practical bridge towards a cleaner mobility future while strengthening energy security and reducing pressure on foreign exchange used for fuel imports,” Opara said.
He emphasised that achieving sustainable and affordable transportation would require stronger partnerships among government institutions, vehicle manufacturers, transport operators, financial institutions and infrastructure providers.
According to him, long-term collaboration remains essential to building a transportation ecosystem that is environmentally friendly, economically viable and accessible to millions of Nigerians.
Among the prominent speakers expected at the summit are the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG and EV), Barrister Ismael Ahmed; the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin; and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed.
Other senior government officials, industry executives and private-sector stakeholders are also expected to participate in discussions that will shape the future of alternative-energy transportation in Nigeria.
Deliberations at the summit will focus on several critical issues, including policy implementation, infrastructure development, financing mechanisms, vehicle safety standards, local manufacturing and assembly opportunities, investment prospects, and strategies for increasing consumer acceptance of EV and CNG vehicles.
The event comes at a significant period in Nigeria’s energy transition journey. Following the removal of fuel subsidies and the Federal Government’s intensified support for alternative fuels, initiatives spearheaded by the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) have accelerated national conversations around cleaner and more cost-effective transportation options.
Organisers say the summit will also explore ways to expand charging stations and CNG refuelling infrastructure, enhance environmental sustainability efforts and leverage media platforms to increase public awareness about the benefits of clean mobility technologies.
Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu, noted that participants would have the opportunity to review case studies from emerging EV and CNG projects while identifying practical solutions to challenges affecting growth within the sector.
These challenges include high acquisition costs for alternative-energy vehicles, inadequate charging and refuelling infrastructure, and the shortage of specialised technical expertise required to support large-scale deployment.
According to Bisiriyu, the successful development of a comprehensive EV and CNG ecosystem could deliver substantial economic benefits for the country.
He said such progress would help lower logistics and transportation costs, improve mobility for citizens and businesses, and significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign exchange for fuel imports.
“Government incentives alone will not guarantee success. Investment in charging stations, CNG conversion centres, maintenance facilities, and technical training will determine how quickly adoption can scale nationwide,” Bisiriyu stated.
As interest in cleaner transportation solutions continues to grow among consumers and businesses, industry observers believe the 2026 NAJA Auto Summit could play an important role in shaping future policies and investment decisions.
With stakeholders expected to examine both opportunities and challenges facing the sector, the summit is anticipated to produce recommendations that could accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner, more sustainable mobility while making transportation more affordable for millions of citizens.
