By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a leading centre for electric vehicle (EV) training and education in the country.
The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by an electric motor company that pledged to donate electric vehicles to the university to support capacity building and skills development.
Professor Peters said NOUN is strategically positioned to serve as a hub for electric vehicle education, particularly at the technical and vocational levels, in anticipation of the growing adoption of EVs in Nigeria.
He noted that major automobile manufacturers are expected to begin importing electric vehicles into the country, thereby creating a rising demand for skilled technicians and engineers to maintain and service them.
He welcomed the partnership, describing it as a timely and forward-looking collaboration that aligns with global trends in sustainable transportation and technological advancement.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Electric Motor Company, Prince Mustapha Audu, presented one of the donated electric vehicles to the university and assured that a second vehicle would be delivered within one week.
Prince Audu described electric vehicles as the future of transportation, citing the global transition to clean energy and the planned ban on internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030 in several countries.
He said his company is committed to building the capacity of young Nigerians to deliver electric vehicle technology and services, not only within Nigeria but across Africa.
He further emphasized that electric vehicles are more affordable to procure and operate, while significantly reducing pollution and harmful emissions from the transportation sector.
Also speaking, the Director of the Centre for Human Resource Development at NOUN, Professor Aminu Umar, expressed optimism about the partnership, noting that it would leverage the university’s extensive reach to drive electric vehicle education, skills acquisition, and infrastructure development nationwide.
According to him, NOUN is well positioned to play a leading role in promoting sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions in Nigeria.
The collaboration between NOUN and the electric motor company marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s transition to electric mobility.
As the country prepares for an influx of electric vehicles, NOUN is poised to become a key institution in providing the training and education required to support this emerging sector.
