Nigeria’s push for electric and CNG vehicles has hit a regulatory checkpoint. On 27 October 2026, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for a clear licensing and approval framework for commercial imports of electric vehicles (EVs), CNG vehicles and related clean-mobility equipment. For anyone planning to buy, import or operate an EV in Nigeria, the details are important, even though speed is not yet law.
Reps are actually the solution
According to a report by Voice of Nigeria, the motion was moved by Admorin Aliyu Kuye and adopted by the plenary. It asked the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to work with the Bureau of Public Procurement, the Standards Organization of Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies to determine objective eligibility criteria for import approval. The proposal 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 the status: this is a House motion and a referral to committees, not an enacted regulation. Nothing changes about your import or purchase process today.
Legislators set conditions that importers want to meet
According to the report, approval will go to any company that meets the eligibility requirements and the process is open, competitive and non-discriminatory. Importers will be expected to show:
- Certified Service and Maintenance Center in Nigeria.
- Genuine spare parts supply and warranty support.
- Trained Nigerian technicians.
- Investment in EV charging or CNG refueling infrastructure.
- Compliance with Nigerian safety, environmental and technical standards.
- Consumer protection and after sales service plan.
NADDC will also maintain a public register of approved importers and infrastructure providers and tax incentives, import duty exemptions and other financial benefits will be linked to compliance.
Why is this happening now?
Two policy actions set the stage. In April 2026, according to a Nairametrics report, the federal government reduced import duties on electric vehicles, public transport buses and manufacturing machinery from 5% to 0%, during a 90-day transition period that will begin on April 1. The same package is said to reduce duty on passenger vehicles from 70% to 40%. The article did not cite a government gazette, so confirm current tariffs with the Nigeria Customs Service before relying on those numbers.
Then, in August 2026, President Tinubu said state governors agreed to use CNG and EVs to reduce transport costs nationwide from 1 October 2026. When tariffs fall and governments push for adoption, imports rise, and with them the risk of buyers being stuck with vehicles that no one can service. That interval is exactly what the reps motion targets.
Real world test: NEDC electric fleet
A living example of the service and charging problem is going on in the Northeast The Guardian reported on 21 October 2026 that the North Eastern Development Commission (NEDC) is distributing 1,330 electric vehicles in six states: 1,000 electric tricycles, 300 taxis and 30 buses. The report states that the vehicles can cover up to 300 kilometers on a full charge, charging takes about an hour under certain conditions, and NEDC plans at least two or three charging stations per state.
Notably, Adamawa’s Commissioner for Transport emphasized the need for adequate charging points before deployment due to unreliable power supply. No vehicle costs, fares or timelines are provided in the article. That tension, faster vehicles than infrastructure support, is why importers’ obligations are on lawmakers’ minds.
Local manufacturers also want a seat at the table
Nairametrics reported on October 29 that local EV manufacturers complained that some government agencies were still buying foreign vehicles despite the Nigeria First directive. The officials were quoted anonymously as saying that price, availability and local capacity drive procurement, and NADDC did not respond to the paper’s request for comment. The proposed Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, reportedly requires foreign EV manufacturers to partner locally, build assembly plants within three years and source at least 30% of components locally by 2030; His legal status still needs confirmation.
Here’s what that might mean if you’re buying an EV
Potential upsides
- Better after sales support: Dealers may require physical workshops, parts and warranty.
- Low fly-by-right importers sell cars without service backup.
- A public register of authorized importers makes it easy to check who you’re buying from.
Potential downsides
- Added compliance costs for importers that can be passed on to buyers.
- Slow arrival of new brands if approval takes time.
- Uncertainty for those who privately import a single EV; The proposal focuses on commercial imports, and does not say how personal imports will be treated.
Practical advice before buying an EV in Nigeria
- Ask where the nearest certified service center is If the answer is unclear, think twice.
- Check the parts and battery warranty in writingThose who respect it in Nigeria.
- Plan your charging. Home or solar charging may be more important than public stations; See our guide to EV charging stations in Nigeria for where to plug in
- Compare running costs with petrol And your actual daily distance using CNG.
- Confirm current import duties and taxes with the Nigeria Customs Service rather than a dealer quote alone.
FAQ
EV import framework already law? no The House adopts a resolution and sends it to committees, which must report within four weeks.
Does this affect EV prices now? not directly Speed has no value statistics. Prices still depend on exchange rates, shipping and clearing costs.
Who will approve importers? The momentum points to the NADDC, working with agencies such as Customs, the Standards Organization of Nigeria and the Public Procurement Bureau.
Does it cover CNG vehicles? Yes, EVs as well as CNG vehicles and associated equipment are included.
Big picture for Nigerian drivers
Whether you drive in Lagos traffic, commute to Abuja or drive a fleet in Port Harcourt, an EV is only as good as the support behind it. Fuel economy savings can be lost quickly if a car sits for weeks waiting for a part or a technician who understands high-voltage systems. That’s why the focus on trained technicians, actual parts and charging investment rather than headline duty rates is arguably the most useful part of this debate for the average buyer.
take root
Nigeria is moving from “cut tariffs and let imports flow” to “import, but prove you can support the vehicle.” If that becomes policy, EV buyers should get stronger service and warranty protection, with some risk of higher prices and slower arrivals of new models. See the committee’s report in about four weeks.
Disclaimer: Car prices, import duties and specs change frequently in Nigeria. Always confirm current figures with dealer or official source before purchasing.