In a significant move for Nigeria's clean energy and urban development, LUG West Africa has unveiled ambitious plans to establish a local assembly plant and deploy a network of over 250 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Lagos State. The company announced the initiative during its 2025 end-of-year event held at the Victoria Garden Event Centre in Alausa, Lagos.
Major Infrastructure Push for EV Adoption
The project is a direct response to the surging adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria. Mr. Imran Oladimeji Hamzat, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of LUG West Africa, revealed that EV adoption in the country grew by an estimated 400 per cent between 2020 and 2025. He projected that electric vehicles could constitute up to 10% of vehicles on Nigerian roads by 2030.
With over 11 million vehicles currently in Nigeria, Hamzat explained that even an 8% adoption rate would translate to roughly 850,000 electric vehicles nationwide. This anticipated growth creates an urgent need for public charging infrastructure, especially as many potential EV owners lack access to home charging facilities.
Leveraging Existing Solar Infrastructure
A key innovation in LUG West Africa's plan is the integration of EV charging with its existing solar-powered street lighting infrastructure. The company has already installed more than 50,000 solar-powered street lights across Lagos, providing a ready foundation.
Hamzat detailed the technical synergy, noting that a typical EV requires about 240 volts of power for one hour of charging to cover approximately 40 miles. He stated that seven monocrystalline solar panels, each generating 36 volts, can provide enough energy to charge an EV and illuminate about 200 metres of roadway. Based on this existing infrastructure, Lagos State could support an estimated 250 roadside charging stations.
Local Assembly and Job Creation
Beyond the charging network, LUG West Africa is committed to deepening local manufacturing capacity. The company confirmed it is building an assembly plant in Lagos to assemble street lighting systems and manufacture components for the EV charging stations.
This facility is expected to support job creation and strengthen local technical expertise, reducing dependence on imported street lighting systems. The initiative aligns with Nigeria's renewable energy goals and broader sustainable urban development efforts. Hamzat further disclosed that the company has developed a working prototype and plans to produce a test sample before the end of 2026, with designs for nationwide deployment.
The high-profile event was attended by notable figures including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, alongside other government officials and industry stakeholders.
This announcement follows a series of supportive actions for electric mobility in Nigeria. The federal government has previously pledged support to local EV manufacturers like Innoson and Saglev Electromobility Company Limited. In a related development, President Bola Tinubu recently commissioned 3,620 electric vehicles in Borno State to expand affordable transport.
