The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the procurement of 200 electric buses for the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) at a cost of N58 billion, signalling a renewed push to modernise Nigeria’s transportation system and strengthen its automotive industrial ecosystem.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, said the approval aligns with NADDC’s mandate and the administration’s vision to expand clean mobility and strengthen the local automotive value chain.
He added that the Council also approved the new Nigerian Industrial Policy 2025, a comprehensive framework to guide industrial growth, investment promotion, innovation, and competitiveness.
“The first memo that was considered and approved was the award of a contract for the supply of 200 units of electric buses at the cost of N58bn for the National Automotive Design and Development Council.”
The Minister highlighted that Nigeria’s new industrial policy framework is anchored on five strategic pillars designed to revitalise the country’s manufacturing base, enhance competitiveness and accelerate sustainable economic growth.
Enoh listed the pillars as industrial infrastructure development and competitiveness; sectoral diversification and value-chain development; investment promotion and business-environment reforms; innovation, technology and digital industrialisation; and sustainability, green growth and climate resilience.
According to him, the policy aims to position Nigeria as a competitive industrial hub by boosting productivity, expanding value chains, accelerating job creation and driving climate-smart, technology-enabled industrial transformation.
The minister added that the policy outlines targeted interventions, including the strengthening of industrial clusters and special economic zones, to support manufacturers, stimulate investment and unlock new opportunities across priority sectors.
“The third is investment promotion and business environment reforms.
“The fourth is innovation, technology and digital industrialisation. And finally, sustainability, green growth and climate resilience.
“So the policy seeks to position Nigeria as a competitive manufacturer, industrial hub, of course, by increasing industrial productivity and all the associated elements, enhancing job creation, promoting climate, smart and digital industrial transformation with all of that.
“So the targeted interventions that the policy has to do with strengthening industrial clusters and special economic zones.”
Other approvals for the ministry include the design and construction of the Bank of Industry headquarters in Eko Atlantic City, internal roads for the Lekki Medical Tourism Park, and Nigeria’s official selection to host the next Intra-African Trade Fair in Lagos.
“There is this memo that also relates to industry, and FEC gave approval for the award of contract for the design and Bill of project Atlantic eco, Atlantic City, Lagos.
“Also, the last of the memos, you know, was actually a note to the council to report Nigeria’s official selection to host the intra-African trade fair.” He added.