The Federal Government has taken a bold step toward greener transportation by launching an electric vehicle competition among universities, aimed at encouraging local innovation and reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector.
Twelve universities from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones participated in the maiden edition of the 8-Seater Electric Campus Shuttle Design Competition, organized by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). At the end of the contest, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) emerged as the overall winner.
The final round of the competition was held at the University of Lagos Innovation Hub, where participating teams presented their electric vehicle designs. The event marked the conclusion of the first phase, which focused on conceptual development and prototype designs. The next phase will involve the actual production of these electric vehicles.
Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Osanipin, emphasized the agency’s commitment to promoting zero-emission vehicles and nurturing young innovators who can contribute to Nigeria’s energy transition goals. He said the project is part of the country’s broader plan to phase out fossil fuel use in transport and replace it with cleaner alternatives.
“The vision is to create a future where Nigeria’s roads are filled with locally designed, zero-emission vehicles,” Osanipin said. He noted that the winning design from UNIBEN will receive funding for full-scale production, and teams are expected to use at least 60% local content in their builds.
The winning team, led by mechanical engineering student Emmanuel Ikegwuonu, described the competition as intense but rewarding. He said the experience gave them practical insights into sustainable vehicle design and inspired them to take on even bigger engineering challenges in the future.
“It was tough, but the lessons were invaluable. We now understand what it takes to create real solutions to Nigeria’s transportation problems,” Ikegwuonu said.
UNIBEN received a prize of ₦5 million, while the Federal University of Technology, Owerri took second place with ₦4 million, and the University of Abuja came third, receiving ₦3 million.
The initiative is part of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and is supported by the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP). Representing the Minister of State for Industry, Adedamola Odusanya described the competition as a model for public-private-academic collaboration aimed at building Nigeria’s industrial capacity.
Head of the jury, Professor Ibrahim Rufai, said UNIBEN’s design stood out for its innovation, including the use of biomimicry inspired by the shape of a boxfish—a model often referenced in vehicle aerodynamics.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, in remarks delivered by Professor Wale Okunnuga, praised the initiative and expressed confidence that such collaborations will drive the development of electric mobility across Nigeria.
The competition is expected to continue in phases, laying the groundwork for a new generation of locally built electric vehicles that align with the country’s clean energy and industrialization goals.
