By Daphne Uduneje

Nigeria’s automotive industry is set for another defining moment on Thursday as policymakers, regulators, manufacturers and investors converge in Lagos for the third edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU 2026), amid growing national efforts to accelerate the transition to cleaner mobility through electric vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation.The summit, organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), will hold at the Radisson Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, under the theme: “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration.”Coming at a time when the Federal Government is pursuing energy diversification, automotive industrialisation and transport sector reforms, the gathering is expected to provide one of the most comprehensive platforms this year for conversations on the future of sustainable mobility in Nigeria.Industry leaders, senior government officials, automotive manufacturers, vehicle assemblers, regulators, financial institutions, fleet operators, technology providers, investors and development partners are expected to examine policy frameworks, infrastructure needs, financing models and investment opportunities that will shape the country’s clean transportation ecosystem.Among the leading companies billed to participate are Weststar Associates Limited, TNL, Jetour, Carloha Nigeria, Simba Group, Cedric Masters Group, Coscharis Motors and LSM, alongside representatives of key public institutions and private-sector organisations with strategic interests in Nigeria’s automotive value chain.One of the major highlights of the summit will be the keynote address by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who is expected to examine road safety imperatives, regulatory reforms and strategies for integrating electric and CNG-powered vehicles safely into Nigeria’s transportation landscape.Technical sessions will also explore critical issues including charging and refuelling infrastructure, vehicle safety standards, financing mechanisms, local manufacturing capacity, technology transfer, investment incentives, skills development and policy initiatives required to accelerate the country’s clean mobility transition.Speaking ahead of the event, Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), Theodore Opara, described the summit as a timely platform for meaningful engagement between government and industry at a period when Nigeria is redefining its automotive and energy future.According to him, stakeholders will have the opportunity to evaluate ongoing reforms, identify emerging challenges and develop practical recommendations capable of strengthening the automotive industry while expanding the adoption of cleaner transportation technologies.Chairman of the NAISU 2026 Planning Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu, said preparations had been concluded for the summit, assuring participants of robust discussions covering electric mobility, CNG adoption, infrastructure development, investment opportunities, local content, consumer acceptance and the broader policy environment required to sustain the industry’s transformation.Beyond the conference sessions, the summit is expected to reinforce collaboration among government institutions and private-sector operators, while generating actionable recommendations to support the Federal Government’s clean mobility agenda, attract fresh investments and strengthen Nigeria’s ambition to become a competitive automotive manufacturing hub in Africa.As global automotive markets continue their shift towards low-emission transportation, the outcome of this year’s summit is expected to provide important insights into how Nigeria can balance industrial development, environmental sustainability and energy security while positioning its automotive industry for long-term growth.