NADDC activates first solar-powered electric vehicle charging station in Sokoto

*Our vision and mission is not just to enable the production of vehicles in Nigeria, but also producing the best and most advanced technology vehicles in the country ─Jelani Aliyu, Director-General of National Automotive Design and Development Council

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

In birthing a new era for the realisation of the Nigerian Government’s desire to build sustainable technology in the country, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has inaugurated Nigeria’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in Sokoto State, Northern Nigeria.

The pilot project, inaugurated at Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS), was also in collaboration with the institution, reports Leadership.

In his address, Jelani Aliyu, Director-General of NADDC, said that the project was part of Federal Government’s commitment for the best Nigeria desired by all.

The NADDC Chief stated: “This is the beginning of a new era for Nigeria as it marks the realisation of government’s desire to build sustainable technology in the country.

“Moreover, our vision and mission at NADDC is not just to enable the production of vehicles in Nigeria but also producing the best and most advanced technology vehicles in the country.”

Aliyu further stated: “Today, we have inaugurated the first 100 percent solar energy powered charging station in Nigeria.

“The reason for choosing Sokoto for the pilot project is in consideration of the harsh weather.

“However, such weather has become a blessing for us as we can extract and power our homes, offices and even for industrial consumption,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NADDC has partnered with three universities in the country, including UDUS, University of Lagos (UNILAG), and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), with the hope of advancing research in renewable energy.

He added: “With the current development, Nigeria can power her economy exclusively with renewable energy and by the time that is achieved, the challenges of power will become history in the country.”

According to him, it is an opportunity for these institutions to utilise the very best in research to enable them to come up with more advanced technologies in the automotive industry in Nigeria.

Prof. Lawal Bilbis, Vice-Chancellor of UDUS, in his remarks on the occasion described the inauguration as a historic landmark for the institution, Sokoto State and Nigeria.

The Vice-Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ibrahim Magawata, assured that the university would ensure more collaborative measures to enable NADDC to achieve the desired dreams.

He stated: “We are hoping that these collaborations will usher in favourable results to enable Nigerians, even in remote villages, to rely on the gift of nature for energy.”

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