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Nigeria on the path to zero-emission road transport system
Nigeria must have been sitting on a keg of gun powder with its rising air pollution emanating from gas flaring and vehicle emissions.
A new survey by some university researchers has established a link between poor academics in childhood and air pollution exposure.
Indeed, the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health research result published in the journal of Science Daily says children exposed to elevated levels of air pollution are more likely to have poor inhibitory control during late childhood and poor academic skills in early adolescence, including spelling, reading comprehension and math skills.
The World Health Organisation has also released a report indicating that air pollution is responsible for about seven million annual deaths globally.
Nine out of 10 persons are said to currently breathe air exceeding the WHO guideline limit for pollutants.
Road transport is also said to be a major contributor to greenhouse gases and air pollution, just as flaring of gas, emanating from oil production, is rife with its huge economic losses and incalculable health hazards to Nigerians.
The carbon dioxide, methane and soot released as a result of gas flaring are said to cause health issues such as cancer and lung damage, deformities in children, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, neurological and reproductive problems as well as environmental challenges which stall agricultural productivity and aquatic and wildlife lives.
And this has led to social unrest in the Niger Delta oil producing area, escalating to other places as agitators have engaged in violent protests including bombing of oil facilities, kidnapping of oil workers and killings. They complain that their natural environment, farmlands, fishing ponds and other forms of life have been damaged or distorted.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation recently confirmed the huge loss resulting from gas flaring, saying the country lost an about N53.26bn in the first two months of this year as a total of 33.04 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas was flared by international oil companies and local players.
The World Bank reports through the Global Gas Flaring Tracker that Nigeria and six other nations (Russia, Iraq, Iran, the United States, Algeria and Venezuela) have been top gas-flarers of the world for nine years.
Even as they produce 40 per cent of the world’s oil each year, it says these countries account for about two-thirds (65 per cent) of global gas flaring.
Although the Federal Government has imposed a fine on oil companies involved in gas flaring and fixed 2025 as the date to end the flaring practice after several changes of past deadlines, experts are of the view the gas flares could be a huge revenue worth billions of dollars if well harnessed.
Experts including John Walke, director of the Clean Air Project, say air pollution not only contributes to climate change but is also exacerbated by it.
“Most air pollution comes from energy use and production…Burning fossil fuels releases gases and chemicals into the air,” says Walke.
Nigeria is said to have some of the worst air pollution in the world, with clouds of choking soot hanging over gridlocked cities, leading to a rise in serious health conditions and damaged vehicles.
Global Alliance on Heath and Pollution in a report ranks Nigeria third in the world for pollution-related deaths and sixth in premature deaths caused by air pollution.
An international resource watchdog group, Stakeholder Democracy Network, in a report, estimates that 114,000 people die prematurely from air pollution each year in Nigeria.
Many people in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, are said to be breathing polluted air leading to avoidable deaths. Indeed, a recent World Bank report estimated that air pollution caused over 11,200 premature deaths in Lagos, with children accounting for about 60 per cent.
The health cost of air pollution was put at $2.1 billion, which was about 1.3 per cent of Lagos State’s gross domestic product GDP.
This is not surprising considering about 13 million of mostly old cars imported from Europe and Japan on the nation’s roads, and hundreds of thousands of inefficient generators used by households and businesses for electricity emitting thick smokes.
Researchers have found fuel imported from Europe and pumped into filling stations in Nigeria as extremely toxic. They found that such fuel extremely exceeded the EU pollution limits.
“Our research suggests that Nigeria is having dirty fuel dumped on it that cannot be sold to other countries with higher and better implemented standards. The situation is so bad that the average diesels sampled are of even lower quality that that produced by artisanal refining camps in the creeks of the Niger delta,” said Florence Kayemba, SDN programme manager.
The SDN report reinforces allegations made in a 2016 Public Eye investigation and a Dutch government report in 2018, that European refineries and commodity brokers were blending crude oil with benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals to create fuels hundreds of times over European pollution limits for the weakly-regulated African market.
This was said to be causing significant particulate pollution, damage to vehicles, and adverse health effect s for the residents.
The WHO in 2016 adjudged Onitsha as the world’s most polluted city, recording a concentration of PM10s – soot particles – at 594 micrograms per cubic metre; compared with the WHO safe limit of 66.
For instance, the air quality in Port Harcourt, Aba, Onitsha and Kaduna has reached crisis levels of pollution in recent years, with rising cases of asthma, lung, heart and respiratory diseases.
The SDN report says the levels of particulate matter in Port Harcourt and Lagos are 20 per cent worse than Delhi in India, the most polluted capital city in the world, where emergency levels of photochemical smogs are common.
“High levels of pollution and pre-existing respiratory and other health conditions may increase the risk that COVID-19 poses to the health of the population,” said Matthew Halstead of Noctis, which conducted the laboratory research.
The introduction of ECO Bus transport system, powered by flare gas recovered compressed natural gas (CNG), to Nigeria is therefore considered a big relief and blessing as it will not only solve the problem of gas flaring and but provide a better economic alternative to the meagre flaring fines as well as address the air pollution headache.
This must have also informed the decision of the FG to encourage the conversion of petrol engine vehicles to gas engine automobiles.
It recently unveiled plans to deliver one million vehicles converted from petrol to gas-powered by the end of the year.
The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Jelani Aliyu, says the Federal Government is excited about the gas-powered vehicles and will do everything possible to ensure the success of the project.
Aliyu, who spoke at the recent opening ceremony of the 15th edition of the annual Lagos Motor Fair organised by the BKG Exhibitions, also said the NADDC was working with major players in the auto industry in Nigeria to fast-track the transition.
He said, “We are excited about the gas-powered vehicles and I’m particularly delighted to see some of them on display at this auto fair.
“We encourage other players to look at the auto gas project as the government is determined to make it work with plan to deliver one million vehicles converted from petrol to gas-powered by the end of the year.”
The ECO Bus project is said to aim at developing world’s cleanest mass transportation systems, tailored towards the respective environment of each city with a focus on flare gas based CNG operation.
It plans to reduce carbon footprints and other GHG per passenger by 80 per cent, overall costs of public transport per passenger by 30 per cent, and accident rate by 80 per cent.
It is considered to have high operational excellence, safety and comfort as well as transparency, creating a reliable business model.
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Jetour T2 Earns Top Global Safety Rating, Intensifies SUV Battle in Nigeria
Jetour T2 Earns Top Global Safety Rating, Intensifies SUV Battle in Nigeria
Jetour has thrown down the gauntlet in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive SUV market after its rugged T2 model secured the coveted NCAP 5-Star safety rating — a global benchmark regarded as the highest standard in crash protection and accident avoidance technology.
The achievement is expected to boost the brand’s appeal among Nigerian motorists seeking tough, family-oriented SUVs that combine advanced safety, luxury and off-road capability for the country’s challenging road conditions.
Jetour Nigeria discloses this in a statement, stressing that it is backing the T2 with a growing nationwide dealership and after-sales support network, including trained technicians, genuine spare parts, structured maintenance plans and warranty coverage aimed at boosting long-term ownership confidence.
Positioned as a bold “super SUV,” the Jetour T2 was designed specifically with Nigerian driving conditions in mind, according to the automaker.
In a country where motorists often encounter congested urban roads, long-distance highways and rough rural terrain within the same trip, the T2 is engineered to adapt seamlessly to changing environments.
Safety is seen as one of the vehicle’s strongest selling points. The SUV comes equipped with a comprehensive airbag system, SRS airbags, parking sensors, rear camera and surround-view monitor.
It also features advanced driver-assistance technologies such as Anti-lock Braking System, Emergency Braking Assist and Auto-Brake Assist, which help detect potential collisions and automatically apply braking when necessary.
Beyond safety, the T2 projects a muscular and commanding presence aimed at drivers looking for both ruggedness and refinement.
Jetour says the SUV was built to offer confidence for daily commuting while remaining capable enough for off-road adventures.
Inside, the cabin combines premium comfort with practical space. Measuring 4,785mm in length, 2,006mm in width and 1,880mm in height, the SUV offers generous legroom and headroom for occupants, making it suitable for long-distance travel and family use.
Under the hood, the T2 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering 187kW (254hp) and 390Nm of torque.
Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the setup provides strong acceleration, smooth overtaking capability and enough power to tackle steep inclines and demanding terrains.
A major highlight of the SUV is its advanced multi-terrain capability. The T2 features a BorgWarner sixth-generation four-wheel-drive system and XWD automatic intelligent drivetrain.
Multiple drive modes — including Sport, Eco, Normal, Mud, Rock and X Smart — allow the vehicle to adjust to varying road conditions ranging from muddy rural tracks to sandy and rocky surfaces.
Technology and convenience also feature prominently in the package. A 15.6-inch LCD touchscreen serves as the hub for infotainment, vehicle diagnostics and off-road information.
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, intelligent voice commands, cruise control and crawl control are integrated to enhance the driving experience.
Additional features such as remote start, push-button ignition, lane departure warning and blind-spot detection further improve convenience and safety for drivers.
With the T2, Jetour is seeking to position itself as a brand that understands the realities of Nigerian roads and the increasing appetite among motorists for SUVs that combine adventure, luxury and safety without compromise.
Jetour Nigeria specifically lists its accredited dealers spread across the country as Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos Limited, R. T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Autos.
Auto
Forland, TSS Motors strengthen technical capacity with specialised truck training
Forland, TSS Motors strengthen technical capacity with specialised truck training
Forland Motors, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of light commercial trucks, has strengthened its partnership with local assembler and distributor, Transit Support Services Ltd (TSS), through a specialised three-day technical training programme aimed at boosting the competence of technicians handling the brand’s vehicles in Nigeria.
The programme was organised to equip the TSS technical team, comprising assembly and after-sales technicians, with in-depth knowledge of Forland light trucks, which are assembled and distributed in Nigeria by the company. The training covered assembly, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance, with the goal of ensuring high service standards in both vehicle assembly and after-sales support.
The training, held at the TSS Motors Training Centre on Ikorodu Road in the Anthony area of Lagos, was facilitated by Forland instructors who arrived from China, alongside TSS technical personnel drawn from Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja.
Also in attendance were technical personnel from Yuchai, the major supplier of engines to Forland trucks. Yuchai is one of China’s largest manufacturers of powertrain solutions.
Forland training at TSS office in Lagos
Providing further insight into the programme, the Head of After-Sales Services at TSS, Mrs. Phebian Iwalokun, said the training focused on general maintenance, engine servicing, and preventive maintenance programmes.
According to her, the initiative was designed to ensure that TSS technicians are fully equipped to manage the growing number of Forland vehicles operating in Nigeria.
She added that continuous skill enhancement had become necessary as TSS prepares for an expansion in production capacity amid increasing demand for Forland trucks across the country.
“Forland trucks are currently gaining ground in Nigeria, with over 1,000 units already in operation, mainly among fast-moving consumer goods companies, logistics firms, and last-mile distribution operators,” Iwalokun stated.
A subsidiary of ABC Transport Plc, Transit Support Services assembles Forland trucks at its plant in Enugu and provides technical and after-sales support to customers nationwide.
Forland has continued to build a strong reputation globally as a successful commercial vehicle and light-truck brand, with its products performing strongly in several international markets.
ABC Transport Group founder, Mr. Frank Nneji (right), presented certificates to the participants
Auto
Nigeria Targets Additional 70,000 Annual Vehicle Output, West African Export with Hybrid Motors, Chinese Firm EV Deal
Nigeria Targets Additional 70,000 Annual Vehicle Output, West African Export with Hybrid Motors, Chinese Firm EV Deal
Launch Design Shanghai and Hybrid Motors Nigeria have signed a strategic partnership agreement to establish electric vehicle manufacturing plants in Lagos and Abuja, a move expected to raise Nigeria’s annual vehicle assembly capacity by 70,000 units and strengthen automobile exports to neighbouring West African countries.
The agreement, signed in Shanghai on May 8, 2026, will drive the production of “Acely,” Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s indigenous vehicle brand designed specifically for Nigerian roads, climate and mobility needs.
The collaboration is being positioned as a major boost to Nigeria’s automotive industrialisation drive, with the two firms aiming to transform the country into a regional hub for vehicle production and export.
Under the partnership, the companies will develop two manufacturing facilities with a combined annual production capacity of 70,000 vehicles at full operation.
The Lagos plant, located along the Lekki-Epe corridor, will serve as the main production and assembly centre with an installed capacity of 50,000 units yearly.
Its proximity to the Lekki Deep Sea Port is expected to support large-scale exports to regional markets including Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.
Industry stakeholders believe the export-oriented facility could significantly expand Nigeria’s automotive footprint across West Africa while reducing dependence on imported vehicles within the region.
The second facility, to be located within the Free Zone Business Area of Centenary Economic City in Abuja, will have an annual production capacity of 20,000 units and focus on supplying Northern Nigeria and neighbouring Sahel markets.
The firms said the dual-plant strategy would improve logistics efficiency, lower production costs and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the automotive value chain.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Motors Nigeria, Mr. Jubril Arogundade, described the project as a defining moment for Nigeria’s automotive future.
“This partnership is more than a business agreement; it is a commitment to building Nigeria’s automotive future,” Arogundade said.
“With Acely, we are demonstrating that globally competitive vehicles can be conceived, designed and assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians for both local and international markets.”
He added that the partnership with Launch Design Shanghai would bring advanced automotive engineering and manufacturing expertise into Nigeria, helping the Acely brand meet international standards while retaining local identity.
Chief Executive Officer of Launch Design, Mr. Wang Xun, said the collaboration would contribute to the emergence of a stronger automotive manufacturing ecosystem in Africa.
“Our turnkey engineering capabilities combined with Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s understanding of the local market create a strong foundation for success,” Wang said.
“Together, we are not only building vehicles but helping to establish a sustainable automotive industry for the region.”
The companies said Acely vehicles would focus on local assembly, energy efficiency and advanced electric and hybrid technologies suited to African operating conditions.
Analysts said the project could stimulate local component manufacturing, encourage technology transfer and deepen technical skills development within Nigeria’s automotive sector.
The initiative is also expected to conserve foreign exchange by reducing vehicle imports while positioning Nigeria as a competitive exporter of made-in-Nigeria vehicles within the ECOWAS sub-region.
Both firms noted that the investment aligns with the Federal Government’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan aimed at increasing local vehicle production, attracting investments and accelerating industrial growth.
“With facilities in Lagos and Abuja serving distinct but complementary markets across Nigeria and the wider region, we are laying the foundation for a new era of mobility that is locally rooted, globally competitive and sustainably driven,” Arogundade added.
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