The Nigerian government is taking proactive strides toward achieving net zero emission as it implements a range of projects to bolster the remarkable Energy Transition Plan (ETP). These projects are geared toward transitioning to a more cleaner and renewable energy source that does not contribute to global warming. With these initiatives, Nigeria has joined the global train in the trending move from the use of fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles. On Friday, the government inaugurated a charging station for electric vehicles at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State, in the country’s southeast.
Jelani Aliyu, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), maintained that the solar-powered charging station would lead to a decrease in the number of vehicles operating on polluting and warming fossil fuels. Aliyu guaranteed the council’s dedication to bringing innovative technologies to Nigeria’s automotive sector. He acknowledged the significance of the electric vehicle, stating that global warming and climate are damaging to human health and its environment. Many nations are shifting away from fossil fuel vehicles in favour of electric vehicles as a result, Aliyu added.
Three universities had been chosen for the pilot projects.
According to him, this reason justifies why the government is funding NADDC, an organization under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, to install solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles across the country. He emphasized the need of achieving carbon neutrality in our environment and decreasing health risks related to it. Aliyu, who was represented by Mr. Olarawaju Omusanya, the Director of Infrastructures, NADDC, noted that that three universities had been chosen for the pilot projects which are; Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; the University of Lagos; and the University of Nigeria in Nsukka.
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and University of Lagos project was inaugurated in 2021 and now followed by the University of Nigeria Nsukka inauguration on August 17, 2023. NADDC encourages universities in the country to take advantage of this window of opportunity and push for further research and development on the project. According to the DG, the council would keep pushing for things like adopting advanced technology and training indigenous human resources. The solar-powered charging station is expected to enable staff and students to gain practical experience with renewable energy and mobility.
UNN extends appreciation to the govt for selecting the university.
When fully charged in this station, an electric vehicle will move for a range of 480 kilometers before it needs to recharge. He continued by praising UNN Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Igwe, and the administration for their “maximum cooperation” in seeing the project through to completion and opening. Professor Igwe made a statement appreciating NADDC for selecting UNN as one of the pilot institutions in the country for the project, and he assured that UNN will keep striving to be among the best.
Now that there is a charging station on campus, he urges the university’s engineering faculty to encourage students to switch to electric vehicles in order to save money on petrol and diesel. Igwe also extends UNN appreciation to the government for selecting the university to participate as a pilot university in this historic project. Earlier in his remarks, UNN Coordinator Professor Ozomena Ani appreciated the vice chancellor for authorizing the project and giving him the opportunity to oversee it at the institution.
General public and the university benefit on the project is assured.
Ani, an engineer and lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, UNN, said that his research team would keep the project running well. Associate Professor Sunday Ezeoha spoke on behalf of Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Emenike Ejiogu, who affirmed that the Faculty will continue to produce the skilled engineers needed. Ejiogu stated that the faculty was pleased that the NADDC solar power charging electric station was placed in the faculty, and asserted that the Faculty would work to ensure that the wider university community and the general public benefits from the project.
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