Oando Clean Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Oando Plc, has received electric public transportation buses for use in Lagos State.

The company disclosed this in a statement issued Tuesday night.

In 2022, OCEL and the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enable the successful deployment of an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Ecosystem (electric buses, charging stations, and other supporting infrastructure) for the state's sustainable road transport system.

The company stated that it partnered with Yutong, the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, to acquire the vehicles. In addition to the delivery of these electric buses, OCEL has also received the essential charging stations and spare parts for their operation.

The Chairman of OCEL, Adewale Tinubu, commented on the development, stating, "Courage and innovation have always been central to our mission to transform Nigeria's energy future. This spirit has brought us to where we are today – at the vanguard of Nigeria's efforts to achieve its net-zero emissions goals. The advent of our electric mass transit buses and the development of an EV infrastructure ecosystem serves as a reminder that the only way to stay ahead of the curve is to be unafraid to break new ground and to seek out opportunities to leapfrog on a consistent basis.

"Additionally, this endeavor illustrates the African proverb, 'If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.'" Public-Private Partnerships have been crucial in bringing the project to this stage and will continue to fuel our nationwide expansion. I must applaud the collaborative efforts of the Lagos State Government and LAMATA to complete this initiative. The launch of this project provides us with a platform to demonstrate to other states what is possible, facilitate engagements on bespoke solutions tailored to their specific requirements, and serve as a model for other organizations seeking to venture into sustainable transportation."

Mr. Frank Lee, Managing Director of Yutong West Africa, stated, "This is a defining occasion for Yutong. It is the first stage in the large-scale deployment of an electric-powered public road transportation system in Nigeria. We are thrilled to be embarking on this journey with Oando, a company with a history of outstanding performance in the energy sector, and we hope to see a quick turnaround in our joint plans to advance all aspects of the country's transition to environmentally friendly vehicles, including the development of local capacity through the delivery of and exposure to extensive training programs for all stakeholders, from drivers to operators and regulators.

"Our expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa has transformed us into a global supplier of electric vehicles with clients in the Middle East, Europe, South America, and Asia." Our buses are ideally adapted for use as a public transportation option in Nigeria due to the superior performance of our electric vehicles, which is a result of their advanced technological capabilities and testing on a variety of terrains.

In addition, Oando stated that the move was consistent with the company's strategic vision to decarbonize the transport system in Nigeria and thereby enhance the socioeconomic impact of transportation in the country.

"Over the next seven years, and through the deployment of over 12,000 buses, this initiative will convert the present fleet of combustion-powered mass transit buses to electric, beginning in Lagos State and eventually expanding to the rest of the nation.

In the medium to long term, and in line with our ambitions, our efforts in sustainable transport will result in improved air quality, improved public health, the employment of at least 3,000 new drivers and an additional 2,000 workers to support bus maintenance, depot management, etc., and estimated economic cost savings of $2.6 billion (3.6% of Lagos's GDP).

The company added that its EV roll-out plan is aligned with the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, specifically supporting the Government's roadmap for EV implementation across Nigeria and its ambition to increase local capacity through the construction of EV assembly facilities over the medium term.