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Lanre Shittu wins truck, plant of the year awards
… raises alarm over drop in some Chinese truck brands
Chinese truck manufacturer, JAC Motors, has continued to improve on the quality of its truck models to make it to compete favourably with popular European brands, Group Executive Director of Lanre Shittu Motors, Taiwo Shittu, has said.
He stated this as he expressed worry that some Chinese automakers are beginning to drop the quality of their models due to rising cost of trucks.
He thus warned truck buyers in Nigeria to be mindful of the quality and the support being offered to avert frequent breakdown of the vehicles.
Taiwo Shittu spoke recently in Lagos after his company won two major awards, Truck Company of the Year and Truck Plant of the Year, at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards.
He particularly noted that the drop in truck quality could be found in areas such as the axle, transmission system, frame, Cab and the Chassis.
He said, “Instead of increasing the quality of their trucks, many are reducing it so as to maintain low cost. For instance, some have reduced their axle from 16 tons to 12; from double frame to single, and from 12-speed transmission to 10.”
He however said JAC brand of trucks has maintained high quality and could compare well in many areas with those from popular European manufacturers.
JAC Trucks has been embraced and accepted by the big players in the industry across the Southern and Northern parts of the country.
“Those who use the JAC trucks can tell the difference. We have an excellent after sales service that reduces down time. JAC trucks come with air conditioner; the seats have air suspension; the power steering is Bosch, giving you a good cruise/ride and allows driver to be comfortable after driving for a long time.”
According to Taiwo Shittu, the quality of after-sale support offered by an auto company will largely determine how long its vehicles will stay active on the road.
He said, “A brand can be good but without a good after sales support, the brand will pack up in no time.
“There are many “Brief Case” business men coming into Nigeria today without an office going about looking for who to sell trucks to knowing fully well that the trucks are not built for the Nigerian market. They sell and leave one with problems and without any support.
“Even if you bring the best truck from Germany, without any support, it will crumble in no time.”
He also spoke on the NAJA awards won by his company for the JAC truck brand, noting that the Lanre Shittu/JAC truck partnership has been remarkable and beneficial not only to the two firms but also the end users and the Nigerian economy.
He commended NAJA for its consistency in organising the annual auto awards, describing the standard of this year’s as outstanding and well attended.

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High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus
High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus
Rising electricity costs have forced Bayero University, Kano, to ban the charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles across its campuses.
The university said the growing practice of using its electricity supply to charge private electric vehicles had contributed significantly to a sharp increase in its power bills, creating an additional financial burden for the institution.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba.
According to the statement, the management has observed the “indiscriminate charging” of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the university’s electricity supply.
It said the development was no longer sustainable at a time when the institution was seeking to manage its resources prudently.
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“The Management of Bayero University, Kano has observed with concern the indiscriminate charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the University’s electricity supply across its campuses.
“This practice has contributed significantly to the sharp increase in the University’s electricity bills, thereby placing an enormous financial burden on the institution,” the statement said.
The university consequently directed all staff, students, commercial motorcycle operators and other users of electric motorcycles to stop charging their vehicles with the institution’s electricity.
It warned that anyone who violated the directive would face disciplinary action in accordance with the university’s rules and regulations.
“Management expects full compliance with this directive. Any person found violating this ban will be liable to appropriate disciplinary action,” the statement added.
To enforce the ban, the university directed provosts, deans, directors, heads of departments and heads of units to monitor compliance in their respective areas and report any violations to the appropriate authorities.
It also announced that a monitoring team would conduct regular patrols across the campuses to ensure strict adherence to the directive.
The institution urged all affected persons to cooperate with the measure, saying it was part of broader efforts to reduce energy costs and promote the prudent use of university resources.
High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus
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FRSC Boss: Tinubu’s CNG, EV Drive Creating Jobs, Attracting Investment
FRSC Boss: Tinubu’s CNG, EV Drive Creating Jobs, Attracting Investment
President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) is already attracting fresh investments, creating new employment opportunities and laying the foundation for a cleaner, safer and more sustainable transport system, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has said.
Speaking at the 2026 Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), Mohammed described the Presidential CNG and EV Initiative as a game-changing policy capable of reshaping Nigeria’s automotive and transportation landscape while stimulating industrial growth and youth employment.
The FRSC boss said the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those promoting climate action and sustainable transportation, while commending President Bola Tinubu for the bold reforms and for assigning the corps a strategic role in the programme’s implementation.
“This initiative has brought in so many investments. We have assembly plants producing electric vehicles and CNG vehicles, companies manufacturing CNG cylinders and conversion kits, and new technology that is creating opportunities for our youths,” he said.
According to him, the initiative is expected to generate thousands of jobs while positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for green mobility investments in Africa.
“Really, it is a massive investment coming into Nigeria, and it is producing massive jobs for the unemployment challenge we have,” he added.
Mohammed also linked the administration’s transport agenda to ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, noting that the projects would improve connectivity and support a safer, more efficient transport network.
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He expressed confidence that the reforms would help Nigeria achieve the United Nations target of providing “a safe, accessible, affordable, reliable and sustainable transport system for all Nigerians by 2030.”
On road safety, the Corps Marshal stressed that reducing road crashes and fatalities requires collective action rather than relying solely on the FRSC.
“Road safety should not be left to the FRSC alone. It is a collective responsibility involving government, communities and every Nigerian,” he said.
While noting that the corps has sustained public enlightenment campaigns for over three decades, Mohammed said greater participation from state governments, local councils, traditional institutions and community leaders is essential to changing road users’ behaviour.
He disclosed that the FRSC has expanded its awareness campaign beyond motor parks to grassroots town hall meetings, enabling the agency to engage drivers, passengers and community stakeholders more directly.
“When you see a bad driving culture, stop the person and caution him. Let him be embarrassed. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
The Corps Marshal expressed concern over persistent traffic violations such as speeding, overloading and the dangerous practice of conveying passengers alongside goods and livestock, warning that such behaviours remain major causes of fatal crashes.
He also urged passengers to challenge reckless drivers, particularly those who exceed speed limits, saying public intervention could save lives.
Mohammed commended NAJA and the media for their sustained support for the FRSC’s road safety campaigns and called for deeper collaboration with journalists to achieve the global target of cutting road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities by 50 per cent before 2030.
Speaking on the legacy he hopes to leave, the FRSC boss said his priority is to build a technology-driven, people-focused organisation anchored on professionalism, collaboration and excellent service delivery.
“The legacy I want to leave is partnership, collaboration and bringing out the best in FRSC personnel to serve Nigerians and further enhance the image of the corps,” he said.
FRSC Boss: Tinubu’s CNG, EV Drive Creating Jobs, Attracting Investment
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Lanre Shittu Motors Leads Drive to Steer Lagos Students Away from Crime, Donates books to public Schools
Lanre Shittu Motors Leads Drive to Steer Lagos Students Away from Crime, Donates books to public Schools
Lanre Shittu Motors is expanding its investment in youth development beyond skills acquisition, launching a major education campaign aimed at steering thousands of Lagos secondary school students away from financial crime through value-based learning and character development.
In partnership with the author of Clean Hands, Bright Future: A Youth Guide to Avoiding Financial Crime in Africa, the foremost automotive company has begun distributing the book to 200 public secondary schools across Lagos State, with more than 150 schools already reached in the first phase of the initiative.
The campaign, which began at Kuramo Senior College and Victoria Island Senior Secondary School, seeks to equip students with a clear understanding of the dangers of fraud, cybercrime, identity theft, examination malpractice and other financial crimes, while promoting integrity, hard work, ethical leadership and responsible citizenship.
Author of the book, Mr. Adedayo Aluko, said the project was inspired by the alarming rise in financial crime among young people and the need to intervene early through education.
“The rate of financial crime among youths is becoming increasingly alarming. We believe education is one of the most effective tools to prevent crime. The message of the book is simple: crime does not pay, and with clean hands, every young person can build a brighter future,” Aluko said.
He explained that the initiative goes beyond book distribution, with plans to return to beneficiary schools for interactive enlightenment sessions and career talks to reinforce the message of integrity.
According to him, the book simplifies over 100 forms of financial crimes, helping students understand offences that many young people unknowingly become involved in. Rich illustrations and practical examples were deliberately included to engage students and make the lessons memorable.
Aluko commended Lanre Shittu Motors for supporting the project, describing the Managing Director of the company, Mr Taiwo Shittu, as a long-standing advocate of youth empowerment and education.
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“Mr. Taiwo Shittu believes there is no shortcut to success. During the flag-off, he personally handed copies of the book to students and encouraged them to embrace hard work, education and skill acquisition as the true pathways to success.
Speaking on the initiative, the LSM MD, Mr. Taiwo Shittu, said the company’s decision to sponsor the distribution reflects its belief that preventing crime begins with shaping values at an early age.
“Young people are the future of our nation. By investing in character development and educating students about the consequences of financial crime, we are helping to build responsible citizens who will contribute positively to society.
“At Lanre Shittu Motors, we believe integrity, education and hard work remain the surest foundations for lasting success,” he said.
Shittu noted that the company’s strong culture of corporate social responsibility was inherited from its founder and his father, the late Alhaji Rasak Olanrewaju Shittu.
He said the late automotive icon instilled in his children and employees the enduring values of compassion, community service and giving back to society, a legacy that continues to shape Lanre Shittu Motors’ investment in education, youth development and other impactful social initiatives.
Published in May 2026 and endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Clean Hands, Bright Future, has been described as a practical guide for young people navigating increasing social and economic pressures.
The ongoing distribution programme underscores Lanre Shittu Motors’ commitment to corporate social responsibility and its determination to inspire a generation that chooses integrity over shortcuts and honest enterprise over criminality.
Lanre Shittu Motors has over the years maintained a strong record of investing in youth development through skills acquisition and capacity building initiatives.
The company has consistently provided opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire technical and vocational skills in automotive engineering, vehicle maintenance and related fields through internship, apprenticeship and industry training programmes.
It has also supported educational and youth empowerment initiatives aimed at preparing young people for productive careers, reinforcing its belief that equipping youths with employable skills remains one of the most effective ways to reduce unemployment, discourage crime and promote sustainable national development.
Lanre Shittu Motors Leads Drive to Steer Lagos Students Away from Crime, Donates books to public Schools
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