NEDC to Deploy 10,330 Electric Vehicles in North-East

The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced plans to deploy 10,330 electric vehicles across the six states of the North-East as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs, create jobs and promote cleaner mobility.

The initiative comprises 10,000 electric tricycles, 300 electric taxis and 30 electric buses. It is being implemented in partnership with Attahir Enterprises Nigeria Limited.

The plan was discussed during a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitisation workshop held in Bauchi State on Friday, October 23, 2026. The meeting brought together transport operators, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society organisations.

The NEDC’s Bauchi State Coordinator, Aliyu Isiyaku, said the initiative was designed to provide affordable, safer and more environmentally sustainable transportation services to residents of the region.

He said the engagement was intended to ensure that stakeholders understood the programme and contributed to its successful implementation, particularly at the grassroots level.

According to the commission, the project is expected to generate employment opportunities, reduce operating costs for transport providers and lower carbon emissions associated with conventional vehicles.

The Chief Executive Officer of Attahir Enterprises Nigeria Limited, Gudu Umar Abacha, said the vehicles could travel up to 300 kilometres on a full charge.

He explained that electric buses and taxis would primarily serve urban centres, while electric tricycles would be deployed to local government areas to extend the benefits to rural communities.

Three charging points are expected to support the vehicles’ operations. Each electric tricycle will also come with two charging units, allowing operators to charge their vehicles at home.

The vehicles are expected to be handed over to the respective state governments for distribution to beneficiaries, who will undergo training before operating them.

Transport unions welcomed the initiative but called for transparent distribution arrangements and stronger involvement of recognised associations to ensure the vehicles reach genuine operators.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for proper maintenance, reliable charging facilities and effective monitoring to sustain the project and ensure that its benefits reach communities across the North-East.