Nigeria’s push for electric and CNG vehicles just hit a regulatory checkpoint. On 27 October 2026, the House of Representatives adopted a motion calling for a clear licensing and approval framework for the commercial importation of electric vehicles (EVs), CNG vehicles and related clean-mobility equipment. For anyone planning to buy, import or fleet-manage an EV in Nigeria, the details matter, even though the motion is not yet law.
What the Reps actually resolved
According to a report by the Voice of Nigeria, the motion was moved by Ademorin Aliu Kuye and adopted at plenary. It asks the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to work with the Bureau of Public Procurement, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies to set objective qualification criteria for import approvals. The motion was referred to the House committees on Industry, Commerce, Gas Resources, Environment and Legislative Compliance, which have four weeks to report back.
It is important to be clear about status: this is a House motion and a referral to committees, not an enacted regulation. Nothing about your import or purchase process changes today.
The conditions lawmakers want importers to meet
Per the report, approval would go to any company that meets the eligibility requirements, and the process is meant to be open, competitive and non-discriminatory. Importers would be expected to show:
- Certified service and maintenance centres in Nigeria.
- Genuine spare parts supply and warranty support.
- Trained Nigerian technicians.
- Investment in EV charging or CNG refuelling infrastructure.
- Compliance with Nigerian safety, environmental and technical standards.
- Consumer protection and after-sales service plans.
NADDC would also keep a public register of approved importers and infrastructure providers, and tax incentives, import duty concessions and other fiscal benefits would be tied to compliance.
Why this is happening now
Two policy moves set the stage. In April 2026, as reported by Nairametrics, the Federal Government cut the import duty on electric vehicles, mass transit buses and manufacturing machinery from 5% to 0%, within a 90-day transition phase said to begin on 1 April. The same package reportedly lowered the duty on passenger vehicles from 70% to 40%. The article did not cite an official gazette, so confirm the current tariff with the Nigeria Customs Service before relying on those numbers.
Then, in August 2026, President Tinubu said state governors had agreed to use CNG and EVs to cut transport costs nationwide from 1 October 2026. When duties fall and government pushes adoption, imports rise, and with them the risk of buyers being stranded with vehicles nobody can service. That gap is exactly what the Reps motion targets.
The real-world test: the NEDC electric fleet
A live example of the service-and-charging problem is playing out in the North-East. The Guardian reported on 21 October 2026 that the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) is distributing 1,330 electric vehicles across six states: 1,000 electric tricycles, 300 taxis and 30 buses. The report said the vehicles can reportedly cover up to 300 km on a full charge, with charging taking about an hour under specified conditions, and that NEDC plans at least two or three charging stations per state.
Notably, Adamawa’s transport commissioner stressed the need for enough charging points before deployment because of unreliable electricity supply. The article gave no vehicle cost, fares or timeline. That tension, vehicles arriving faster than support infrastructure, is why importer obligations are on lawmakers’ minds.
Local makers want a seat at the table too
Nairametrics reported on 29 October that local EV makers accuse some government agencies of still buying foreign vehicles despite the Nigeria First directive. Officials quoted anonymously said price, availability and local capacity drive procurement, and NADDC had not responded to the paper’s requests for comment. The proposed Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, would reportedly require foreign EV makers to partner locally, build assembly plants within three years and source at least 30% of components locally by 2030; its legislative status still needs confirmation.
What it could mean if you are buying an EV
Possible upsides
- Better after-sales support: dealers may need real workshops, parts and warranties.
- Fewer fly-by-night importers selling cars with no service backup.
- A public register of approved importers, making it easier to check who you are buying from.
Possible downsides
- Added compliance costs for importers that could be passed on to buyers.
- Slower arrival of new brands if approvals take time.
- Uncertainty for individuals who import a single EV privately; the motion focuses on commercial importation, and how personal imports would be treated is not stated.
Practical advice before you buy an EV in Nigeria
- Ask where the nearest certified service centre is. If the answer is vague, think twice.
- Check parts and battery warranty in writing, including who honours it in Nigeria.
- Plan your charging. Home or solar charging may matter more than public stations; see our guide to EV charging stations in Nigeria for where to plug in.
- Compare running cost with petrol and CNG using your actual daily distance.
- Confirm the current import duty and levies with the Nigeria Customs Service rather than a dealer’s quote alone.
FAQ
Is the EV import framework already law? No. The House adopted a motion and sent it to committees, which must report within four weeks.
Does this affect the price of EVs now? Not directly. The motion contains no price figures. Prices still depend on exchange rates, shipping and clearing costs.
Who would approve importers? The motion points to NADDC, working with agencies such as Customs, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Bureau of Public Procurement.
Does it cover CNG vehicles? Yes, CNG vehicles and related equipment are included alongside EVs.
The bigger picture for Nigerian drivers
Whether you drive in Lagos traffic, commute in Abuja or run a fleet in Port Harcourt, an EV is only as good as the support behind it. Fuel economy savings can vanish quickly if a car sits for weeks waiting for a part or a technician who understands high-voltage systems. That is why the focus on trained technicians, genuine parts and charging investment is arguably the most useful part of this debate for ordinary buyers, more than the headline duty rates.
Key takeaway
Nigeria is moving from “cut the duty and let imports flow” toward “import, but prove you can support the vehicle.” If it becomes policy, EV buyers should get stronger service and warranty protection, with some risk of higher prices and slower arrival of new models. Watch the committee report due in about four weeks.
Disclaimer: vehicle prices, import duties and specs change frequently in Nigeria. Always confirm current figures with the dealer or official source before buying.
