Nigeria's clean mobility transition faces safety risks from weak regulation, stakeholders warn

Nigeria's automotive industry faces significant safety challenges as it transitions to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EV). Key stakeholders are flagging regulatory gaps, insufficient testing facilities, and a lack of public awareness as major threats to the Federal Government’s clean mobility agenda.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has warned that without urgent action to enforce standards and remove uncertified products, safety incidents could deter crucial investment and erode public confidence in the sector. SON emphasized that while CNG and EV technologies are inherently safe, the use of uncertified components and poor installation practices can create serious hazards.

"CNG and EV technologies are inherently safe when they are designed, manufactured, installed and maintained in accordance with recognised national and international standards," stated SON Director-General Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, represented by Olalekan Omoniyi. "But they become dangerous when uncertified products and poor installation practices are allowed into the market. The integrity of the entire system depends on compliance with established standards."

Concerns were highlighted at the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit in Lagos. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is developing Standard Operating Procedures for EVs and CNG vehicles to align with global safety benchmarks. The summit, themed 'Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the President Bola Tinubu Administration,' underscored the need for strict standards, effective regulation, and public trust for a successful transition.

“

CNG and EV technologies are inherently safe when they are designed, manufactured, installed and maintained in accordance with recognised national and international standards. But they become dangerous when uncertified products and poor installation practices are allowed into the market. The integrity of the entire system depends on compliance with established standards.