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Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive and energy industries are set to converge in Lagos on July 30, 2026, for the third edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Auto Summit, where discussions will focus on accelerating the country’s transition to cleaner, more affordable and sustainable transportation.
The summit, scheduled to hold at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, will be held under the theme, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration.”
According to a statement issued by the summit organising committee, the high-level forum will bring together policymakers, regulators, vehicle manufacturers, energy providers, transport operators, financiers and industry experts to evaluate the progress made so far, as well as the opportunities and challenges surrounding the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles in Nigeria.
Speaking on the significance of the summit, Chairman of NAJA, Theodore Opara, said the event was designed to provide practical solutions aimed at reducing transportation costs, strengthening energy security and stimulating economic growth through clean mobility initiatives.
He noted that Nigeria possesses one of the largest natural gas reserves in Africa, stressing that expanding CNG infrastructure offers a realistic pathway towards cleaner transportation while enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on foreign exchange for fuel imports.
According to Opara, achieving affordable, environmentally friendly and sustainable mobility would require strong collaboration among government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, financial institutions and transport operators.
“Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s largest gas reserves. Expanding CNG infrastructure can provide a practical bridge towards a cleaner mobility future while supporting energy security and reducing pressure on foreign exchange used for fuel imports,” he stated.
Expected speakers at the summit include the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG and EV), Barrister Ismael Ahmed; the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin; and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed.
Other prominent stakeholders from both the public and private sectors are also expected to participate.
Participants at the summit will deliberate on several critical issues considered vital to Nigeria’s clean-energy transportation agenda. These include policy implementation, infrastructure development, financing models, safety standards, local vehicle assembly, investment opportunities and consumer adoption strategies.
The event comes at a time when government support for alternative fuels has intensified following the removal of fuel subsidies and the implementation of initiatives by the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), which have placed EV and CNG mobility at the centre of national economic and environmental discourse.
Opara disclosed that discussions would also address the need to expand charging and refuelling infrastructure, promote environmental sustainability and utilise the media as a catalyst for increasing public awareness of cleaner transportation technologies.
Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu, said industry leaders would present case studies on emerging EV and CNG projects while outlining strategies for overcoming major challenges confronting the sector.
According to him, issues such as high vehicle acquisition costs, inadequate infrastructure and limited technical expertise remain significant obstacles to the widespread adoption of alternative-energy vehicles.
Bisiriyu expressed optimism that the successful development of a robust EV and CNG ecosystem could substantially reduce logistics and transportation costs, enhance public mobility and ease pressure on foreign exchange currently spent on fuel imports.
“Government incentives alone will not guarantee success. Investment in charging stations, CNG conversion centres, maintenance facilities and technical training will determine how quickly adoption can scale nationwide,” he explained.
With increasing public interest in alternative-energy vehicles and growing policy support from the Federal Government, the 3rd NAJA Auto Summit is expected to provide a strategic roadmap for advancing Nigeria’s clean mobility transition and making transportation more affordable and sustainable for citizens.
Industry observers believe the summit will serve as a critical platform for fostering partnerships and shaping policies capable of driving the adoption of cleaner transportation technologies and positioning Nigeria for a more energy-efficient future.
