By: Amadi Vincent Uzoma
Shafa Energy, NNPC New Energies Limited (NNEL), a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Nigus International have opened an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point in Abuja.
They have also agreed to collaborate on the establishment of charging stations countrywide in Nigeria with the aim of spreading similar facilities across the nation.
The gathering was seen by organizers as a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to move away from more costly energy sources. Chairman and CEO of Shafa Energy, Abdulmuminu Maishanu, stated that the venture’s goal is to promote electric vehicles and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as viable alternatives to expensive fossil fuels.
He emphasized that the objective is to safeguard the country’s interests given the current economic situation, pledging support for the government’s push towards more economical fuels. Maishanu acknowledged that Nigeria may be lagging behind other countries, but it is important to begin the transition.
NNEL’s Managing Director, Kanayo Odoe, highlighted renewable energy as the way forward due to its cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and health benefits. He mentioned NNPCL’s interest in cleaner fuel sources through the establishment of the new subsidiary, foreseeing that the stations would not only charge vehicles but also power households.
Odoe assured that the charging infrastructure would expand beyond the north to the southern regions, taking advantage of Nigeria’s abundant sunlight. He committed to collaborating with Shafa Energy and Nigus International to make affordable energy sources widely available.
Chairman of Nigus International, Malik Ado-Ibrahim, commended NNPC for diversifying its portfolio into areas like CNG and EVs, following the development of over one GigaWatt of storage in 18 countries. He noted the origin of lithium in Nasarawa, Niger, and Taraba states.
Additionally, the CEO of Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), an indigenous Nigerian EV firm, Mustapha Audu, explained that the initiative would help reduce logistics costs, ultimately benefiting consumers and the economy. He encouraged the government to support local manufacturers to drive economic growth.
Nigerians, both at home and abroad, now have the opportunity to earn US Dollars legally, with the potential to earn up to $17,000 (25 million naira).
