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UNIBEN clinches top prize at National Electric Vehicle Design Competition, wins N5m
UNIBEN clinches top prize at National Electric Vehicle Design Competition, wins N5m
The University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, has emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural 8-Seater Electric Vehicle (EV) Campus Shuttle Bus Design Competition, organized by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). The event, aimed at fostering local innovation in sustainable transportation, concluded on Friday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Twelve universities from across Nigeria participated in the competition, which kicked off on March 6. UNIBEN’s innovative design secured them the grand prize of N5 million, while the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and the University of Abuja claimed the first and second runner-up spots, earning N4 million and N3 million respectively. All other participating institutions received N2 million each.
Mr. Emmanuel Ikegwuonu from UNIBEN’s Department of Mechanical Engineering led the presentation of the winning project. He highlighted that 50% of the materials used in the EV design were locally sourced, reflecting strong partnerships with local suppliers and auto manufacturers. The design, he said, was guided by the principles of sustainability — focusing on people, profit, and the planet.
Prof. Osarobo Ighodaro, who supervised the UNIBEN team, explained the technical mentoring that simplified complex engineering concepts for the students and promoted hands-on learning.
In his remarks, NADDC Director-General, Mr. Oluwemimo Osanipin, emphasized the broader goals of the initiative. “This competition was designed to encourage local innovation and demonstrate that Nigerian universities are fertile ground for ideas that can transform the automotive industry,” he said. He added that the next phase of the project — production of the winning EV design — would begin soon in collaboration with the private sector and NADDC support.
Osanipin praised the efforts of students, faculty members, industry experts, and policymakers involved in the event. “They’ve built more than just a prototype — they’ve built possibilities. This is a step toward a Nigeria that not only consumes technology but also produces and exports it,” he stated.
The initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which emphasizes industrial growth through local innovation and production.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, Special Adviser Mr. Odunsanya Adedamola commended the initiative’s alignment with the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP). He underscored the importance of empowering youth through innovation and skills development as the foundation for sustainable industrialization.
“Government, academia, and industry must continue to collaborate. What we are witnessing today is a demonstration of what’s possible when policy meets youthful ingenuity,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, represented by Prof. Wale Okunuga, highlighted how the competition aligns with UNILAG’s broader green initiatives.
Other speakers, including members of the National Assembly, echoed the growing need for clean mobility solutions in Nigeria, stressing the environmental and economic benefits of producing electric vehicles locally.
Participating universities spanned Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and included:
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
University of Port Harcourt
University of Ilorin
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
The event marks a significant step toward homegrown, sustainable transportation solutions in Nigeria, with universities at the forefront of driving innovation.
Auto
Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace
Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace
Jetour Nigeria is taking its hybrid SUV offensive to Abuja, with the X70 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) set to headline the three-day Jetour Experience from September 22 to 24 as the automaker accelerates its drive to expand its footprint and capture a larger share of Nigeria’s fast-evolving mobility market.
The Abuja showcase, coming on the heels of a strong Lagos edition that generated significant consumer interest, test drives and sales enquiries, is designed to bring Jetour’s latest technologies closer to customers in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states.
The event at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, will give prospective buyers and auto enthusiasts the opportunity to test-drive the X70 PHEV and other Jetour models while interacting with product specialists and experiencing their technology, safety features, performance and comfort firsthand.
According to the company, expanding the showcase to the Federal Capital Territory was a direct response to rising demand from residents in Abuja and neighbouring states.
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To bolster buyer confidence, Jetour Nigeria—the country’s sole authorised distributor—backs the X70 PHEV with a five-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty.
The distributor operates through an accredited nationwide dealer network, including: Elizade Nigeria Limited,
New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos Limited, R.T. Briscoe Motors, and Mandilas Autos.
The X70 PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with a 19.43kWh battery and a dedicated hybrid transmission. Designed to balance performance with fuel efficiency, the vehicle supports fast, slow, engine, and regenerative braking charging options—reducing reliance on external charging infrastructure.
Jetour’s rapid growth in the Nigerian market has earned both private and corporate patronage, driven by competitive pricing, high specification levels, and an expanding service footprint. The brand was named “Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year” at the 2024 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards.
With the X70 PHEV leading the Abuja showcase, Jetour aims to deepen customer engagement and consolidate its position in the local automotive market.
Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace
Auto
X90 Plus Leads Jetour’s Abuja Drive for Bigger SUV Market Share
X90 Plus Leads Jetour’s Abuja Drive for Bigger SUV Market Share
Jetour Nigeria is taking its premium SUV battle to Abuja, with the seven-seater X90 Plus set to headline the Jetour Experience Abuja from September 22 to 24, as the automaker moves to capture a larger share of Nigeria’s fast-growing high-end family SUV market.
The three-day motoring showcase will give prospective buyers, families and auto enthusiasts in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states an opportunity to experience the X90 Plus and other models in the Jetour range through test drives and hands-on demonstrations.
The Abuja showcase follows the success of the brand’s earlier Jetour Experience in Lagos, where strong customer interest, inquiries and sales momentum reportedly encouraged the company to take the initiative to the Federal Capital Territory.
Jetour Nigeria said growing demand from customers in Abuja and neighbouring states was a major factor behind the decision to expand the experience to the northern market.
Positioned as a full-sized family SUV, the X90 Plus is designed for executives and families seeking a combination of space, technology, performance and comfort without the price tag associated with some luxury SUVs.
The model is offered with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The powertrain produces up to 254 horsepower and 390Nm of torque.
Inside the cabin, the X90 Plus features a 12.3-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, Sony premium audio system and wireless charging.
Its safety and driver-assistance features include a 360-degree panoramic camera, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and electronic stability systems.
Jetour’s growing profile in Nigeria has also earned the brand recognition from the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), which named it Fastest Growing Auto Brand, while it was also recognised as Auto Brand of the Year at the Nigeria Transport Lecture.
To support its expanding customer base, Jetour Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor, operates through seven accredited dealer partners across the country: Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Tab Autos Limited and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.
The Abuja Experience is expected to provide Jetour with another platform to engage potential customers and reinforce its position in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive SUV market.
Auto
Jetour Takes Award-Winning Dashing, Other SUVs to Abuja
Jetour Takes Award-Winning Dashing, Other SUVs to Abuja
Motorists in Abuja are set for a close encounter with Jetour’s award-winning Dashing and other models as Jetour Nigeria moves to deepen its foothold in the nation’s capital with the Jetour Experience Abuja, beginning September 22.
The three-day motoring event, which runs until September 24, is expected to draw prospective buyers and automobile enthusiasts to a hands-on experience featuring test drives, product demonstrations and direct engagement with Jetour’s seven authorised dealers and product specialists.
The participating dealer network comprises Elizade Nigeria Limited, Kojo Motors, Mandilas Autos, Germaine Auto Centre, R.T. Briscoe, Tab Autos and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.
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The Abuja Experience follows the success of the Lagos edition, which attracted thousands of visitors for test drives and direct engagement with product specialists. According to the organisers, strong demand and inquiries from motorists in Abuja and neighbouring states prompted the expansion of the event to the Federal Capital Territory.
The Dashing has gained attention in Nigeria’s competitive compact SUV segment for its combination of modern styling, technology, performance and competitive pricing.
The SUV is available with 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged engines, producing up to 145kW of power and 290Nm of torque, paired with six- or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions.
Its features include a 15.6-inch central touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and smartphone integration.
For safety, the vehicle comes with a 360-degree surround-view camera, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection and multiple airbags.
Beyond vehicle sales, the authorised dealers provide warranty, genuine spare parts and after-sales support to Jetour customers across their respective locations.
The Abuja Experience is expected to strengthen customer engagement and give motorists in the FCT a closer look at Jetour’s growing range of vehicles, while further expanding the brand’s footprint in the northern market.
Jetour Takes Award-Winning Dashing, Other SUVs to Abuja
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