Stakeholders warn of safety gaps in Nigeria’s CNG, EV transition

Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive industry have raised concerns over safety challenges that could undermine the country’s transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs), warning that weak regulation, inadequate testing infrastructure and low public awareness pose significant risks to the Federal Government’s clean mobility agenda.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) warned that unless standards enforcement is strengthened and uncertified products are eliminated from the market, safety incidents could erode public confidence and discourage investment in the emerging sector.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also disclosed that it is developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the deployment and regulation of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles to align Nigeria with global safety and operational standards.

The concerns were raised at the third Nigeria Auto Industry Summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in Lagos over the weekend.

The summit, themed “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the President Bola Tinubu Administration,” brought together regulators, industry experts and other stakeholders to examine opportunities and challenges in the country’s transition to cleaner transportation.

Presenting a paper at the event, the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said the success of Nigeria’s clean mobility drive would depend on strict adherence to standards, effective regulation and sustained public confidence.

Represented by the agency’s Deputy Director of Research and Statistics, Olalekan Omoniyi, Okeke said CNG and EV technologies are globally recognised as safe when designed, manufactured, installed and maintained in line with approved national and international standards.

“CNG and EV technologies are inherently safe when they are designed, manufactured, installed and maintained in accordance with recognised national and international standards,” he said.

“But they become dangerous when uncertified products and poor installation practices are allowed into the market. The integrity of the entire system depends on compliance with established standards.”

He cited the explosion of a CNG cylinder installed in an Audi 80 at a filling station along the Benin-Auchi Expressway in Edo State, noting that investigations linked the incident to the use of an uncertified cylinder and non-compliance with the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Installation Standard (NNG 1214:2024).

Omoniyi identified the proliferation of informal vehicle conversion centres as one of the industry’s biggest challenges, saying the rapid influx of grey-market CNG cylinders and conversion kits has outpaced regulatory inspection and enforcement.

He also noted that Nigeria’s standards framework for electric vehicles is still evolving, particularly in areas such as battery safety, charging interoperability, battery recycling and second-life battery applications.

“Standards must keep pace with rapidly evolving global technologies. In addition, high-pressure cylinder testing and high-voltage battery evaluation require sustained investment in modern laboratories and highly skilled technical personnel,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Omoniyi maintained that the government’s clean mobility programme remains safe when certified products are used and installations are carried out by approved professionals.

“We want Nigerians to have confidence in this initiative. Certified CNG and EV products are safe, reliable and built to meet approved quality standards. What we must eliminate are fake products and unqualified installers,” he added.

Speaking at the summit, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, said the agency is putting in place operational frameworks to support the safe introduction and widespread adoption of alternative fuel vehicles across the country.

He stressed that road safety must remain central to Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation.

“As cleaner mobility gains momentum, regulatory institutions must evolve alongside emerging technologies,” Mohammed said.

“The FRSC is already positioning itself to support the transition through enhanced safety regulations, stakeholder engagement and the development of Standard Operating Procedures for EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.

“Cleaner mobility should not only reduce emissions, but also improve road safety, strengthen vehicle standards and build public confidence in these emerging technologies.”

Mohammed added that the Corps is working with relevant government agencies and industry stakeholders to ensure road safety regulations keep pace with technological advances in the automotive sector.

Earlier, Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, Theodore Opara, described the summit as a strategic platform for shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

He noted that countries around the world are accelerating the adoption of cleaner transportation technologies to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and build more sustainable economies, warning that Nigeria cannot afford to fall behind.

“This summit is more than an industry conference,” Opara said.

“It is a strategic platform to shape the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry. The global automotive landscape is changing rapidly, and Nigeria must accelerate its transition if it is to remain competitive and fully benefit from the opportunities presented by clean mobility.”