The House of Representatives, during Tuesday’s plenary, urged the Federal Government to establish a transparent, competitive, and non-discriminatory licensing and approval framework for the commercial importation of Electric Vehicles (EVs), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, and related clean mobility equipment.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, who commended the present administration’s commitment to policies promoting the transition to cleaner transportation technologies as part of its energy transition and economic diversification agenda.
In his lead debate, Hon. Kuye acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts to encourage the adoption of Electric Vehicles, CNG-powered vehicles, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles, and other clean transportation technologies, noting that the policy direction could create opportunities for investment, technological advancement, and economic growth.
The lawmaker also recognized the fiscal incentives introduced by the Federal Government, including import duty concessions and tax reliefs aimed at encouraging investment in clean mobility technologies and improving access to the infrastructure required to support their adoption.
He, however, stressed the need to ensure that such incentives translate into tangible investments in charging infrastructure, CNG refueling stations, maintenance centres, spare parts supply chains, technical expertise, and after-sales support.
‘The House is convinced that Nigeria has the opportunity to encourage local investment, technology transfer, employment generation, and domestic value addition by linking import incentives to measurable investments in infrastructure and technical capacity,’ Kuye said.
Some lawmakers who spoke in support of the motion, including Hon. Stanley Adedeji, backed the need for a regulatory framework that would promote investment in clean transportation while ensuring that importers contribute to developing the country’s automotive industry and supporting infrastructure.
Consequently, the House urged the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other relevant agencies, to develop objective qualification criteria for companies seeking approval to import EVs, CNG vehicles, and associated equipment.
The lawmakers further called on relevant regulatory agencies to ensure that import approvals are granted only to companies that satisfy clearly defined eligibility requirements. These include, where applicable, establishing certified service and maintenance centres in Nigeria, providing genuine spare parts and warranty support, and employing and training qualified Nigerian technical personnel.
Other requirements outlined by the House include investments in EV charging infrastructure and/or CNG refueling facilities, compliance with Nigerian safety, environmental, and technical standards, as well as the submission of consumer protection and after-sales service plans.
To strengthen accountability and public confidence, the House urged the NADDC to maintain a public register of approved importers and infrastructure providers, insisting that the approval process must remain open, competitive, transparent, and non-discriminatory.
The lawmakers maintained that no qualified company should be denied approval or subjected to undue preference once it has met the prescribed standards, adding that regulatory requirements should encourage healthy competition while protecting consumers and promoting sustainable investment in the sector.
The House also urged the Federal Government to align tax incentives, import duty concessions, and other fiscal benefits with compliance under the proposed regulatory framework, stressing that such incentives should support sustained investment in local infrastructure, technical capacity, and domestic value addition.
To ensure implementation, the House mandated its joint Committees on Industry, Commerce, Gas Resources, Environment, and Legislative Compliance to monitor compliance with the resolution and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.