Purchase of 30-seater bus tears Innoson, NAN apart - Newstrends
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Purchase of 30-seater bus tears Innoson, NAN apart

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There is a growing disagreement between local auto assembler, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, and the News Agency of Nigeria over a 30-seater bus purchased by the latter from the former.

While NAN insists on the replacement of the bus which it considers faulty, Innoson says it will fix the fault.

The demand by NAN was made in a letter the agency despatched to Innoson even as it expressed regrets over the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria vehicles.
The letter dated January 16 and signed by the agency’s Principal Legal Officer, Mojirola Eniola, stated in part,
“Following the failure of your organisation to meet our demands for the evacuation and replacement of the faulty 30-seater bus (IVM6751) supplied to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) within seven (7) days of the receipt of our letter dated January 6, 2023, we have been left with no choice but to return the vehicle to your premises.”
NAN reports that this is the second time the agency would be rejecting the company’s vehicles due to either non-compliance with specifications or mechanical fault.
In line with the Buhari administration’s admonition to patronise local industries, the agency had some time in 2021 approached the motor vehicle plant to supply it with a 30-seater bus for its workers.
The agency had paid Innoson the sum of N49.5 million, including taxes, for the purchase of the bus on 17 November 2021.
Trouble, however, started when the company on November 16 2021, delivered the 30-seater bus said not to be in line with the specifications it reached with the agency.
The agency promptly rejected the bus and directed its solicitors to demand a replacement in line with the agreed specifications.
In its February 1, 2022 letter to Innoson through its solicitors, the agency demanded a replacement within 14 days or a face legal action.
Responding to the threat, Innoson in a letter dated February 14, 2022 apologised to NAN for the inconvenience it had caused the agency.
“We want to use this medium to apologise to your client (NAN) for any inconvenience that they may have experienced due to their complaint,” the letter signed by a director, Jonas Ojukwu, said.
Ojukwu, who in the letter claimed that his company does not sell refurbished vehicles, promised to replace the rejected vehicle.
“We will bring in a replacement brand new Innoson 30-seater bus to your client (News Agency of Nigeria) before the fourteen (14) days that you stated from the date of receipt of your letter and we shall retrieve the one supplied before now.
“We want to assure you that our business relationship will not be thwarted by any form of dissatisfaction for our desire is to serve our customers to the best of their satisfaction,” Ojukwu stated.
In spite of the assurances in Ojukwu’s correspondence, the replacement vehicle delivered to NAN on April 8, 2022 only worsened the agency’s transportation woes as it was dogged by successive mechanical faults.
Before the eventual evacuation of the vehicle to the Innoson Abuja office, the bus was said to have been lying idle on the agency’s premises for several months due to mechanical faults.
The agency’s Head of Technical Department, Aaron Miller, said the vehicle since delivery had been permanently grounded due to a faulty gearbox.
He said several appeals made to the Innoson Abuja office to evacuate the vehicle for repairs were ignored.
“We made several representations to them to repair this faulty gearbox all to no avail.
“On the three occasions their technicians showed up to ostensibly repair the vehicle, the problems persisted, causing embarrassment to the agency, ” he said.
Frustrated by the vehicle company’s noncommittal response in evacuating the vehicle, the agency issued another seven-day ultimatum to Innoson Abuja office in a letter dated 6 January.
This was to be followed by a final notice in a January 16 letter and the eventual towing of the faulty vehicle to the Abuja premises of Innoson on Tuesday after the company reneged on its pledge to evacuate the vehicle.

When a NAN correspondent contacted Ojukwu on phone, he said the bus would be repaired.

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FG Moves to Expand CNG Vehicle Production, Targets Cheaper Transport Fares

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October 14, 2026

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FG Moves to Expand CNG Vehicle Production, Targets Cheaper Transport Fares

FG Moves to Expand CNG Vehicle Production, Targets Cheaper Transport Fares

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry and promote more affordable transportation through collaboration with local vehicle manufacturers, following visits to two manufacturing facilities in Anambra State.

Board members of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) inspected the facilities of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) in Nnewi and Kojo Motors Auto Assembly in Umunya to assess their production capacity, identify operational challenges and explore ways to support indigenous manufacturers.

The visit comes amid the Federal Government’s drive to expand the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles as alternatives to petrol-powered transportation, with the aim of reducing operating costs and making public transport more affordable.

The manufacturers welcomed the government’s new policy directing ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to patronise locally manufactured vehicles, saying it could increase demand for their products and strengthen domestic production.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had issued a circular directing government establishments to purchase vehicles from local manufacturers.

Managing Director of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, said he was encouraged by the government’s emphasis on CNG, describing the fuel as an important option for sustaining Nigeria’s automotive industry amid rising petrol and diesel costs.

Chukwuma disclosed that the company had dedicated its newest large-scale facility to producing CNG-powered trucks and electric vehicles.

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He said wider adoption of CNG could help lower transportation and operating costs while supporting local industrial growth and creating employment opportunities.

The industrialist also called for stronger backward integration in the automotive sector, arguing that manufacturers should focus on producing components that Nigeria has the capacity to manufacture competitively.

At the Umunya facility, the executive director of Kojo Motors, Chinedu Oguegbo, said the company was concentrating on commercial vehicles designed for Nigeria’s transport needs.

He said the company had begun benefiting from the government’s local vehicle procurement policy but had faced challenges arising from the sharp depreciation of the naira and exchange-rate fluctuations.

Oguegbo added that the company was developing its natural gas facility, which he expected to become operational in the future. He also expressed optimism that the company’s Omma Bus brand could eventually be exported to international markets.

NADDC Director-General Oluwemimo Joseph said the inspection was intended to give the council first-hand knowledge of the challenges confronting local vehicle manufacturers.

He explained that the council was reviewing existing policies and working on proposed legislation to improve the operating environment for the industry.

According to him, information gathered during the visits would help the council develop measures to address manufacturers’ concerns and identify vehicle components that could be produced locally.

Joseph said Nigeria had numerous small and medium-sized enterprises capable of supplying components to the automotive industry, adding that stronger partnerships could create new business opportunities and reduce dependence on imported parts.

He also acknowledged concerns about the effect of imported used vehicles on local manufacturers, noting that the council was considering measures to address the competitive disadvantages faced by domestic producers.

NADDC Chairman, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said the council was advocating legislation to protect local vehicle manufacturers from the influx of imported used cars.

He argued that local producers needed a more supportive policy environment to compete effectively and expand production.

The Federal Government’s broader CNG and electric mobility programme is designed to reduce transport costs by encouraging the deployment of vehicles powered by alternative energy sources. However, the impact on passenger fares will depend on the availability of vehicles, refuelling infrastructure, operating costs and the extent to which transport operators pass savings on to commuters.

The Anambra visits form part of efforts to strengthen local manufacturing, encourage investment and improve the availability of vehicles for Nigeria’s public transportation system. While the collaboration could support cheaper transport over time, the visits did not announce a specific new fare reduction or implementation timetable.

 

FG Moves to Expand CNG Vehicle Production, Targets Cheaper Transport Fares

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Electric Mobility: Spiro Unveils Expansion Plan, Names Nigeria New MD

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5 days ago

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October 9, 2026

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Electric Mobility: Spiro Unveils Expansion Plan, Names Nigeria New MD

Spiro, Africa’s leading electric mobility company, is stepping up plans to expand its footprint in Nigeria, strengthen its battery-swapping infrastructure and deepen partnerships to make electric motorcycles more accessible and affordable to riders.

The company unveiled the growth strategy at the second edition of its Media Connect event in Lagos, where it formally introduced its new Country Head and Managing Director, Mr Prasad Sane, who will lead its operations and expansion drive in the country.

Sane said Spiro would consolidate its presence in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states while exploring opportunities to extend its operations to additional markets, as it seeks to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable transportation.

The event brought together journalists covering business, technology, mobility and sustainability to discuss the company’s progress, infrastructure development and long-term ambitions for Nigeria’s electric mobility market.

Addressing the gathering, Sane said the company was moving beyond the deployment of electric motorcycles to building an integrated mobility ecosystem designed to improve riders’ earnings, reduce operating costs and create economic opportunities.

“Today is about progress, partnership and purpose. A year ago, we shared our vision for electric mobility in Nigeria. Today, we are demonstrating tangible results and a clear path forward,” he said.

He added that his mandate was to make Spiro one of the most trusted, affordable and accessible electric mobility solutions for Nigerians, beginning with its existing focus markets.

“My mandate is simple: to make Spiro the most trusted, affordable and accessible electric mobility solution for Nigerians, beginning with Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

“We are moving beyond electric bikes to build a complete ecosystem centred on our promise of ‘Energy on the Move’,” Sane stated.

A major pillar of the company’s strategy is its battery-swapping technology, which allows riders to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in under a minute, reducing downtime and eliminating the need to wait for conventional recharging.

According to Sane, the model offers riders an alternative to rising fuel and maintenance costs while supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve the economics of commercial motorcycle operations.

“Electric mobility is no longer the future. It is the present, and Nigeria is poised to lead the transition,” he said.

Under its expansion plan, Spiro intends to accelerate the deployment of battery-swapping stations and service centres across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states to improve accessibility, operational efficiency and customer support.

The company also plans to extend its geographical reach beyond the three states, bringing its electric motorcycles and related services to more Nigerian markets.

Another priority is strengthening partnerships with financial institutions, logistics companies and rider communities to improve access to electric motorcycles and its Battery-as-a-Service solutions.

The approach is expected to support wider adoption by riders who may face financial barriers to acquiring electric motorcycles outright, while helping businesses explore cleaner and potentially more cost-effective transportation options.

Spiro also plans to scale up local assembly operations, technical training and after-sales support, with a focus on creating employment opportunities, particularly for young Nigerians and women.

The company said the measures would help strengthen its operational capacity while developing local skills and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s electric mobility ecosystem.

The Media Connect event featured live product demonstrations and operational showcases, alongside the unveiling of the Spiro Ekon M1 Version 3, highlighting the company’s efforts to develop its electric motorcycle offerings for the Nigerian market.

Spiro, which received the West Africa Sustainable Award (WASA), is positioning its expansion around electric motorcycles and battery-swapping infrastructure as it seeks to contribute to the growth of sustainable mobility across Nigeria.

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Jetour W Motors Celebrates Customers, Unveils Nigeria Owners Club After Brazil Promo

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7 days ago

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October 8, 2026

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Jetour W Motors Celebrates Customers, Unveils Nigeria Owners Club After Brazil Promo

 

Jetour W Motors Nigeria is stepping up efforts to strengthen customer loyalty and build a vibrant community of vehicle owners with the successful conclusion of its #WinYourWayToBrazil campaign and the official establishment of the Jetour Nigeria Club.

The twin initiatives mark a new phase in the Chinese automotive brand’s engagement with Nigerian customers, extending its relationship with vehicle owners beyond sales and after-sales services to include shared experiences, lifestyle activities, adventures and community-building programmes.

The campaign climaxed with a live raffle draw on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Jetour W Motors showroom on Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where eligible customers gathered for an evening of entertainment, refreshments, networking and the eagerly anticipated announcement of the winner.

The promotion offered customers who ordered and purchased any Jetour vehicle between August 18 and September 20, 2026, the opportunity to win a trip to Brazil for the Jetour Brazil Fan Festival.

The event also featured the distribution of branded Jetour Owners Club gifts, adding to the celebratory atmosphere as customers interacted with one another and members of the Jetour team.

Beyond the excitement surrounding the raffle draw, the occasion provided a platform for Jetour W Motors to unveil the Jetour Nigeria Club, an initiative designed to bring owners of the brand’s vehicles together through a structured calendar of activities and shared experiences.

The club, officially established for the first time in Nigeria, is expected to create opportunities for members to participate in organised adventures, social gatherings and other community initiatives while strengthening their connection with the brand.

Registration for membership will open soon, with all Jetour owners invited to join the emerging community.

The development reinforces Jetour W Motors Nigeria’s strategy of building lasting relationships with customers in a competitive automotive market where ownership experience, customer engagement and brand loyalty are becoming increasingly important.

The #WinYourWayToBrazil campaign follows the successful Jetour Africa Expedition — Nigeria Edition, which brought together Jetour owners, influencers, media professionals and members of the company’s team for a distinctive experience combining driving, adventure and Nigerian culture.

The expedition was the brand’s first major activation specifically designed to bring Jetour owners together in Nigeria, providing an opportunity for participants to connect beyond their individual vehicle ownership experiences.

With the Brazil campaign and the launch of the national owners’ club, Jetour W Motors is building on that foundation by creating more opportunities for customers to interact, participate in brand-led activities and develop relationships with fellow owners.

The approach reflects a broader effort to position vehicle ownership as an experience that extends beyond the showroom, encompassing lifestyle, recreation and a sense of belonging to a growing community.

Jetour W Motors Nigeria is the authorised distributor of Jetour vehicles in the Nigerian market, where the brand continues to expand its presence through customer-focused initiatives and engagement programmes.

The planned opening of membership registration for the Jetour Nigeria Club is expected to provide the next opportunity for owners to become part of the community and participate in activities designed to deepen their connection with the brand.

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