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UNILAG to mass-produce solar-powered vehicles, gets FG’s second charging station
Nigeria is on the verge of mass-producing solar-powered vehicles through the University of Lagos, following the inauguration on Tuesday of the Federal Government’s second solar-powered vehicle charging station on the campus.
Minister of Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Director General of the National Automobile Design and Development Council, Jelani Aliyu, and UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, gave the hint on Tuesday at the unveiling of the charging station built by NADDC with deep cycle batteries of up to 95Kwh storage capacity.
It was the second solar-powered vehicle charging station to be constructed in the country by the NADDC. The first was launched about three months ago at the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.
The minister, who unveiled the charging station along with the NADDC electric vehicle pilot programme at UNILAG, said, “very soon we will launch and mass-produce renewable energy-powered vehicles of which innovative Nigerian youth are an integral part of their conceptualisation, design and development.”
He expressed delight at being part of the historic event that would launch the nation into the world of advanced automobile technology, knowledge transfer and continues youth empowerment.
He said, “This programme is another of the Federal Government’s initiatives (under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR), designed to promote advanced technology transfer and the development of sophisticated human capital.
“For my ministry (the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment), programmes such as this are the lifeblood of everything we are trying to achieve. It is, after all, a proven fact among advanced nations, that the key to successful industrialization is strategic human capital and capacity development in state-of-the-art technologies.
“So, what does this mean for you? It means giving you the tools to build a future that is uniquely yours; to inspire in you the light of innovation and creativity that will enable you to write a new chapter.”
He added, “This charging station has been developed by the NADDC in its efforts to promote applicable local solutions for vehicle electrification in Nigeria. It will offer students firsthand experience with the latest innovations in mobility and renewable power technology. It is strategized to be an effective platform for focused Research and Development into even more applicable vehicle electrification solutions for Nigeria and Africa.”
The minister pledged the continued support of the FG through his ministry for the project to ensure its success and sustainability.
“The Federal Government, through its agencies such as the National Automotive Design & Development Council, will continue to support you, your dreams and ambitions for the good and prosperity of this great nation.”
Also speaking on the issue, the NADDC DG, Aliyu, said the solar-powered EV charging station would provide UNILAG an effective platform for advanced innovation in the EVs and related renewable energy solutions.
He also spoke on how to ensure sustainability and quality of the extensive project expected to be undertaken at the university.
“The monitoring and evaluation team shall consist of experts from NADDC, University, Hyundai and relevant stakeholders,”Aliyu said.
According to him, the development of the solar-powered EV charging stations has included Nigeria among “the league of nations actively committed to the protection of the environment through zero emissions vehicles.”
He noted, “The world is in a race on the backs of eagles, and Nigeria cannot afford to be in that race on the backs of anything less, neither a falcon nor a hawk, but on the backs of eagles.”
He described the push towards greener energy as important, stressing, “the world can no longer afford to continue polluting the environment through the use of fossil fuel and its attendant emission of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane.”
Aliyu also said, “This EV charging station to be commissioned today is 100 per cent solar-powered. The installation consists of 60 PV monocrystalline solar arrays (panels), which have a capacity of 86.4 kilowatts per hour, there are three online-offline 5KVA Hybrid inverters synchronized together to give 15KVA/48 watts, and we have 36 units of deep cycle gel batteries with an output of 48 volts/19 and 0.
“The power bank consists of 36 units of dry cell, deep cycle batteries of up to 95Kwh storage capacity. The system provides ordinary 13A and 15A sockets that can support all types normal chargers. The station also provides a 7.4kw CCS fast charger and can support up to 11kw types.
He attributed the success of the project thus far to the support received from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, promoting the adoption, development, manufacturing and usage of advanced technology in the Nigerian automotive sector.
He recalled that “early this year, on the 5th of February, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment unveiled the first Nigerian assembled Electric Vehicle, the Hyundai Kona EV, and today he is commissioning the NADDC.
The UNILAG VC agreed that locating the facility at the university would facilitate further research on the concept of electric and solar-powered vehicles as well as greener energy sources.
Ogundipe, who lamented that the varsity paid over N1bn as electricity bill between January 2020 and May this year, said it was deliberate that the solar-powered station was sited near the Energy Centre to complement each other in the area of alternative energy sources.
He said the university authorities had accepted the project with “both hands” and promised to make maximum use of it.
The event was attended by dignitaries such as the board chairman of the NADDC, Senator Osita Izunaso, board members and directors of NADDC, Senate members of the university, and managing directors of Stallion group and Briscoe Motors Plc, Anant Badjatya and Seyi Onajide, respectively.
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CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria
CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria
A subsidiary of CFAO Mobility, LOXEA Nigeria, has introduced the BYD brand of electric vehicles to the Nigerian market.
LOXEA has thus become the pioneer in bringing the renowned electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured by BYD (Build Your Dreams) into the country.
BYD is a high-tech multinational company and the world leader in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
“As a Fortune Global 500 enterprise, BYD relentlessly innovates to create a sustainable future,” said the automaker.
“In November 2024, BYD becomes the first company in the world to achieve the milestone with the roll-off of its 10-millionth NEV.
“BYD achieves 4.27 million new energy vehicle sales in 2024, claiming the global sales champion in the third consecutive year.”
Managing Director of LOXEA Nigeria, Mr. Mehdi Slimani, stated, “We are proud to distribute this type of electric vehicle and all its associated services.
“Our upcoming showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos will be a place dedicated to the discovery of BYD vehicles, combining modernity, comfort, and economy of use. “It is very important for CFAO Mobility in Nigeria to participate in this way in the country’s energy transition and support our customers who wish to make the switch to electric.”
Chief Executive Officer of CFAO Mobility, Marc Hirschfeld, spoke on the importance of this launch for both the company and the country, saying, “BYD is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electric vehicles, with a level of innovation know-how that now matches the expectations of our markets in Africa.
“A whole new ecosystem has to be designed around mobility in African cities.
“This applies not only to individual and corporate customers, but also to stakeholders including urban public transport networks and government agencies.
LOXEA specialises in providing innovative mobility solutions across Africa.
With a commitment to sustainability and excellence, it delivers high-quality mobility services, from electric vehicle leasing to fleet management and infrastructure support.
LOXEA is a leading player in innovative mobility solutions in Africa, offering clients a range of 100% electric vehicles from BYD.
As a pioneer in the deployment of electric vehicle solutions across the continent, LOXEA is bringing to Nigeria a comprehensive suite of services associated with electric vehicles.
This includes the installation of electric charging stations, vehicle maintenance, repair services, and the provision of spare parts.
In addition to providing an inaugural charging station at the upcoming LOXEA Victoria Island showroom, the company is also offering an adaptable solution that allows customers to charge their EVs conveniently at home.
The company says more information on this can be obtained from its website: https://www.byd-nigeria.com/ .
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Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College
Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College
Lanre Shittu Motors has announced a novel idea that will boost automobile studies in a Lagos technical college.
Specifically, it has pledged to adopt the Automobiles Department of the Government Technical College, Aso-Soba in the Festac area of Lagos.
This is intended to raise academic and practical programme standards of the school.
The company said this would involve adequate funding, in-school training and intensive industrial training (IT) with welfare package to encourage more young people to pursue academic career in automotive engineering.
Business Support/Admin Manager of LSM, Mr Babatunde Adenuga, disclosed this in Lagos, in an interview with journalists.
Adenuga represented the LSM Managing Director, Mr Taiwo Shittu, at the just concluded Engineering Week of the college sponsored by the auto company, where he unveiled the plan to the staff and students at the event’s grand finale.
Aside from the needed financial support to make the auto department functional and standard, he said LSM would provide the tools, overall wears/workshop uniform, among others, as part of the welfare package for the students.
He said it would be a win-win situation for the school and the company.
Adenuga said, “The school will benefit immensely from the LSM package for the department as we take the financial trouble of running the department away from them.
“Students from the department can come for their internship at LSM workshops, and getting jobs after school won’t be difficult.
“For us, it will be a seamless arrangement in getting suitable personnel familiar with our training and business orientation.”
He also said the LSM had been absorbing students from the school and others for their industrial training (IT), providing them with useful hands-on training and monthly stipend to keep them going.
The LSM MD, Taiwo Shittu, commenting on the support, said, “We’ll be part of the progress of the school. We want to own a department in the technical college, the automobile department of studies that will enable us to fund the place; take care of the welfare of students, providing the tools, overall uniform and other facilities.”
“At LSM, we see training the youths as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. Every year, we take in youths into our facility and train them; even while in training, we give them stipends.”
The highpoint of the LSM-sponsored Government Technical College event was the presentation of prizes to outstanding students in the various competitions held for the Engineering Week.
Three of the students whose projects stood out such as locally produced water pumping machine and water heater went home with impressive cash awards.
Principal of the college, Mr Folarin Sunkanmi, expressed appreciation to LSM for the interest in the school, starting with giving the students the opportunity for industrial training and offering them monthly stipend.
The principal commended the LSM efforts of sponsoring the engineering week’s activities, whose theme was given as ‘Engineering for Sustainable Development (Innovators of tomorrow)’
He urged other companies to emulate the LSM example in order to boost the employability chances of products of the technical colleges and engineering departments of higher institutions in the country.
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Nigeria’s firm, Weststar Associates, shines in Dubai, wins Daimler Truck EliteClass award
Nigeria’s firm, Weststar Associates, shines in Dubai, wins Daimler Truck EliteClass award
Weststar Associates Limited, Authorised General Distributor of Daimler Truck in Nigeria, has brought honour home all the way from United Arab Emirates specifically at the EliteClass 2024 Season Awards.
Daimler Truck Middle East Africa the Weststar team with the Silver Award in the Elite CSP (Customer Service and Parts) Performance category.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos, which added that the EliteClass 2024 Awards ceremony brought together 40 Daimler Truck Business Partners for a night of recognition and celebration.
Held at the One & Only Royal Mirage in Dubai, the prestigious black-tie event honoured top-performing general distributors that have demonstrated exceptional performance, dedication, and commitment to excellence in 2024.
The EliteClass 2024 Awards C
ceremony was the culmination of a year-long EliteClass programme for the Middle East and Africa measuring 24 categories across the entire business spectrum for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Daimler Buses, and Fuso Trucks & Bus.
The awards highlighted the dedication and resilience of partners who have achieved outstanding performance and a remarkable commitment to excellence and contributed significantly to Daimler Truck’s success in the MEA regions.
President & CEO of Daimler Truck Middle East Africa, Mr. Michael Dietz, emphasized the importance of collaboration and performance-driven success during his opening address. “EliteClass 2024 is more than just an awards ceremony—it is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and shared vision of our partners.
“Their achievements continue to drive our brand forward, setting new benchmarks in customer experience and operational excellence across the region,” he said.
Weststar’s General Manager, Sales, Mr. Christopher Irumudomon, was present at the EliteClass 2024 Season Awards ceremony to accept the Silver Award in the Elite CSP (Customer Service and Parts) Performance category.
While presenting this award, the Daimler Trucks MEA leadership made the following statement: “Congratulations on your achievement in the EliteClass Central Africa 2024 Season. We are pleased to recognize your individual category achievement.”
The EliteClass 2024 Awards reaffirms Daimler Truck’s commitment to excellence, continuous growth, and the recognition of partners who drive success in an evolving industry landscape.
According to the statement, Weststar Associates Limited continues to fly the flag of the “brand with the star” high in Nigeria.
It said the company had remained the go-to home for all Mercedes-Benz needs in this region.
“With a dealership network that expands to the major regions of the country, along with highly trained and experienced sales and after-sales staff. Nigerians can rest assured that they will always have ‘the best or nothing’ at their disposal,” it stated.
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