Nigeria has taken another step towards developing a domestic electric vehicle industry after indigenous automaker Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC) entered into a strategic partnership with the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, aimed at advancing local EV production, research, and technical skills development.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing ambitions by combining industry expertise with academic research to develop electric vehicles designed for local operating conditions. The initiative also seeks to reduce dependence on imported automotive technology while building a skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s transition to cleaner transportation.
The agreement will see both organisations work together on electric vehicle design and engineering, battery research, battery cell assembly, battery management systems, and the local fabrication of automotive components, Brandspur Brand News reports.
As part of the partnership, the institutions plan to establish a Centre of Excellence in Electric Mobility at the polytechnic, introduce specialised academic programmes focused on electric vehicle engineering and renewable energy technologies, and provide students with internship and apprenticeship opportunities that offer hands-on industrial experience.
The collaboration also includes plans to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure on campus, creating an environment where students, researchers, and engineers can test emerging technologies while encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship, and the commercialisation of locally developed solutions.
EMVC’s leadership said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to investing in homegrown talent and technology, noting that building a sustainable electric vehicle industry requires developing skilled engineers and technicians alongside expanding manufacturing capacity.
The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, described the partnership as an important step toward aligning technical education with Nigeria’s growing clean energy ambitions, adding that students will gain practical exposure to advanced engineering, manufacturing processes, and innovation.
Nigeria has increasingly promoted local automobile manufacturing and alternative energy transportation as part of broader efforts to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on imported vehicles, and encourage industrial development. However, industry stakeholders have consistently identified limited indigenous research, battery technology capabilities, and shortages of specialised technical manpower as major constraints on the growth of the country’s automotive sector.
With global demand for electric mobility continuing to rise, the partnership could position Nigeria to leverage its mineral resources, including lithium used in battery production, while strengthening local manufacturing capacity and creating a stronger foundation for an indigenous electric vehicle ecosystem capable of serving both domestic and regional markets.
