The Lagos State Government has taken another major step towards cleaner and more sustainable public transportation with the introduction of 11 additional electric buses by Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), under the regulatory oversight of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
The 11 buses represent the first batch of a 50-bus commitment by Oando under the current phase of the electric mobility project, marking a significant expansion of an initiative that started with two pilot electric buses deployed in 2023.
The project is expected to pave the way for the eventual deployment of 552 electric buses across Lagos public transport corridors as the state intensifies efforts to modernise its transportation system, reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the transition to cleaner energy was critical to meeting the growing transportation demands of the state amid rising population and economic activities.
Osiyemi explained that the government recognises the need to build a transportation system driven by sustainability, energy efficiency, innovation and environmental responsibility.
He noted that Lagos was pursuing a gradual reduction in carbon emissions in line with its ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, described the presentation of the buses as evidence of the progress being achieved through sustained collaboration between the Lagos State Government and private-sector investors.
She explained that electric buses offer several environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality and lower noise pollution.
According to her, the partnership with Oando is translating the state’s vision for cleaner transportation into practical achievements while strengthening efforts to modernise public transport operations.
In his remarks, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Oando Clean Energy Limited, Mr Ademola Ogunbanjo, described the development as a defining moment for electric mobility in Nigeria and Africa.
He said the initiative was not merely about introducing electric buses but about establishing the foundation for a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable transportation ecosystem that could eventually be replicated across the country and the continent.
Ogunbanjo recalled that the partnership between LAMATA and Oando began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2022, followed by the deployment of two pilot electric buses in 2023.
He explained that the period between the pilot deployment and the latest expansion had been used to test the technology, evaluate operational resilience, assess environmental impact and measure public acceptance.
According to him, the experience and operational data gathered during the pilot phase provided the foundation for transitioning from proof-of-concept operations to a broader deployment programme.
Beyond the introduction of electric buses, Ogunbanjo said Oando was working towards developing a comprehensive domestic electric mobility ecosystem.
He identified the key components as charging infrastructure, maintenance facilities, technical manpower development, spare-parts supply chains and, ultimately, local vehicle assembly.
He explained that building these supporting facilities would be essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of electric transportation in Nigeria, reducing dependence on imported technical expertise and creating opportunities for local businesses and skilled workers.
The project is also receiving financial and technical support from strategic partners, including the Bank of Industry, Wema Bank and Yutong, while prospective funding partnerships are being explored with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The growing partnership between the Lagos State Government and Oando highlights the importance of public-private collaboration in attracting the investment, technology and expertise required to transform urban transportation.
With the latest addition of 11 electric buses, Lagos is expanding its clean mobility programme, although the successful delivery of the proposed 552-bus target will depend on sustained investment, reliable charging infrastructure, maintenance capacity and effective integration into the state’s existing public transport network.
