Stakeholders Warn of Safety Risks in Nigeria's EV Transition

At the third edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit in Lagos, stakeholders in Nigeria's automotive sector expressed significant concerns over safety risks associated with the transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs). The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) cautioned that without urgent measures to enforce standards and eliminate uncertified products, safety incidents could damage public confidence and deter investment.

Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director-General of SON, emphasized that the success of Nigeria's clean transportation initiative relies on strict standards and effective regulation. Olalekan Omoniyi, representing SON, highlighted the dangers posed by uncertified components and poor installation practices, citing a recent explosion involving an uncertified CNG cylinder in Edo State.

He noted the proliferation of informal vehicle conversion centers and the rapid influx of grey-market CNG cylinders as major threats. The Federal Road Safety Corps is developing Standard Operating Procedures for EVs and CNG vehicles to ensure compliance with global safety standards.