By Samuel Solomon
The Federal Government will begin the rollout of 10,000 electric tricycles into the Nigerian market in August 2026 as part of efforts to improve public transportation and modernise the country’s logistics system, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.
Shettima disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Transporters for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 group, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
The Vice President said the electric tricycles would be distributed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for use across the North-East and other parts of the country, noting that President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the initiative through the various regional development commissions.
He explained that the administration is committed to transforming Nigeria’s transport sector into an integrated logistics network that seamlessly connects ports, railways, CNG-powered trucks, inland waterways, airports and local feeder roads to drive commerce, agriculture, industrial growth and national integration.
According to him, the government’s transport reform agenda is anchored on the nationwide adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), the upgrade of critical port infrastructure and the strengthening of the country’s logistics value chain to improve efficiency and working conditions across the transport sector.
“Our vision is an unbroken logistics chain, where a container moves from a deep-sea port to a rail wagon, then to a CNG-powered truck, then to a trader in Ariaria Market or Maiduguri, without delay or policy failure,” Shettima said.
The Vice President also highlighted the achievements of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, saying it has demonstrated the viability of utilising Nigeria’s abundant gas resources to lower transportation costs, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles.
“We said CNG could cut fuel costs by over 60 per cent, and many called it fantasy. Today, heavy-duty trucks run on Nigerian gas, proving sceptics wrong and returning money to your pockets,” he stated.
Shettima assured transport workers of the administration’s continued support, promising policies aimed at ensuring affordable fuel, insurable fleets, bankable contracts and improved welfare across the industry.
“This administration shall continue to stand with the Nigerian transporter. We shall continue to fight for affordable fuel, insurable fleets, bankable contracts, and dignified working conditions. We shall build roads that last, rails that stretch across this great nation, ports that breathe, and airports that reflect our pride,” he added.
Earlier, the Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Transportation, Logistics and Innovation, Prince Segun Obayendo, said transport unions in the aviation, maritime, rail and road sectors had unanimously endorsed the Tinubu/Shettima administration for the 2027 election following consultations among their leadership.
Also speaking, Secretary-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Oniha Erazua, commended the administration for engaging transport unions and expressed confidence that ongoing reforms would yield greater benefits if sustained. He reaffirmed the sector’s support for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket in the 2027 presidential election.
