The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has lauded SAGLEV Electromobility Co Nig. Ltd., for keying into the Federal Government’s drive for Electric Vehicles (EVs) usage in the country.
The Director-General of NADDC, Mr Joseph Osanipin, gave the commendation during the tour of the company on Tuesday in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Osanipin was represented by Mrs Felicia Oyegbolu, NADDC, Deputy Director, Head of Press and Protocol.
SAGLEV Electromobility is the first automotive assembly plant in sub-Saharan Africa dealing only on electric vehicles.
“On the tour of NADDC to SAGLEV, this is to showcase the activities of the automotive industry to the whole world.
“This is done through a programme called Automotive Hour where we showcase the activities and challenges of stakeholders in the industry.
“We just finished from the South-East and we will visit all the six geographical zones. We have come to South -West and next is North-West.
“Nigerians do not even know much about electric vehicles, they do not know that we have many assemblers in the country, that is the essence of the visit,” he said.
He noted that so far, what the council saw at the assembly plant was wonderful., adding that he was happy stakeholders are keying into the showcasing of what they do.
“The essence also is for people to patronise made-in-Nigeria vehicles and from what I saw today, SAGLEV is more than capable in meeting federal government ‘s push for electric vehicle usage in the country,” he said.
Dr Olugbenga Faleye, the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman, SAGLEV Incorporated, a U.S. company and SAGLEV Electromobility based in Nigeria, appreciated the NADDC for the tour.
Faleye noted that they had been working with the council for over five years.
“We have a long history with NADDC and we give them credit for their dream of reviving the automotive industry.
“They know the importance of what we are doing, they have been monitoring our development and that is why they have always supported us and is now pushing for people to be aware of the company,” he said.
He added that SAGLEV would not be able to satisfy even 10/20 per cent of EV need of Nigeria, urging other EV manufacturers to come and join in assembling of EVs because of its benefits.
“The automotive industry in Nigeria has gone through a great tragic story, we are about 40 years behind where we used to be, we need to come out,” he said.
Faleye noted that the plant was supposed to be opened in November 2023, but had many challenges that needed to be addressed.
He, however, noted that assembling started about four months ago.
“Assemblying is not an easy thing, and in achieving our goals, we hired 18 technicians who are already mechanics three years ago, already certified, we employed them and gave them electric vehicle technician training.
“They are competent and capable to assembly any vehicle model and we have 16 models,” he said.
He said the industry was capital intensive, adding that he was glad that financial institutions are getting interest in the industry.
Also, Mrs Yetunde Mide-Ogunsowo, the Head Commercial Banking, Alternative Bank, said the bank was partnering SAGLEV to add value to the business.
Mide-Ogunsowo added that the partnership was to create awareness of the benefits of electric vehicle and its sustainability.
“One of the core focus of Alternative bank is renewable energy and this event today is one way we are exhibiting the value.
“We are partnering them to increase their business and expand the business focus in Nigeria,” she said.
