Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), a Nigerian indigenous electric vehicle manufacturer, has entered into a partnership with Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, in a move aimed at strengthening local electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, advancing research and building a skilled workforce for Nigeria’s emerging clean mobility industry.
The collaboration, announced in a statement by EMVC on Friday, is being described as the first partnership of its kind between an indigenous electric vehicle manufacturer and a Nigerian polytechnic.
It is expected to serve as a model for closer collaboration between industry and technical education institutions to develop local capacity across the automotive value chain.
Under the agreement, both organisations will jointly develop market-ready electric vehicles designed specifically for Nigerian and African road conditions while undertaking collaborative research into battery technology, including battery cell assembly, battery management systems and local sourcing of components.
The partnership also provides structured training programmes for students of Federal Polytechnic Offa in electric vehicle design, assembly, battery systems and after-sales maintenance, giving them practical exposure to emerging technologies in the fast-growing clean transportation sector.
In addition, EMVC and the polytechnic will share access to laboratories, engineering workshops, technical materials and research resources to support innovation and accelerate the commercialisation of locally developed technologies.
Beyond the initial areas of collaboration, the two institutions have outlined plans to expand the partnership through the establishment of a joint innovation and research hub or Centre of Excellence in Electric Mobility at the polytechnic.
Other proposed initiatives include the co-development of academic curricula and certificate programmes in electric vehicle engineering, battery technology and renewable energy systems, as well as structured internship, apprenticeship and industrial attachment opportunities for students within EMVC’s engineering and assembly operations.
According to the statement, the partners also intend to introduce faculty exchange programmes, jointly pursue research publications and patent development, support student-led entrepreneurship and innovation, and seek research grants and development finance to expand mobility and technical education initiatives.
As part of the long-term vision, the collaboration will explore the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the polytechnic campus for demonstration and research purposes, while supporting the local fabrication of selected vehicle components through the institution’s engineering workshops.
Community engagement programmes to promote electric mobility adoption across Kwara State and the North Central region also form part of the agreement.
Speaking on the partnership, Prince Mustapha Mona Audu, Chief Executive Officer of EMVC, said developing a sustainable electric vehicle industry requires investment not only in manufacturing capacity but also in human capital.
“This collaboration reflects EMVC’s belief that building a genuine electric vehicle industry in Nigeria requires more than manufacturing capacity; it requires a deliberate investment in people and knowledge. Partnering with Federal Polytechnic Offa allows us to develop vehicles and battery technology suited to our environment while training the next generation of Nigerian engineers and technicians who will sustain this industry long into the future,” Audu said.
On his part, Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin, Rector of Federal Polytechnic Offa, described the agreement as an important step towards aligning technical education with the evolving needs of Nigeria’s clean energy and mobility sector.
He noted that the partnership would provide students with direct exposure to real-world engineering, manufacturing and innovation processes, helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice.
The collaboration comes as Nigeria seeks to deepen local manufacturing, reduce dependence on imported automotive technologies and position itself as a regional hub for electric mobility.
Stakeholders have increasingly emphasised the need for stronger partnerships between manufacturers and educational institutions to build the technical skills required to support the country’s transition to cleaner transportation.
EMVC said its operations currently cover the design and assembly of two- and three-wheel electric vehicles, battery assembly and charging infrastructure, with plans to expand into four-wheel vehicle assembly. The company said its long-term objective is to position Nigeria and the wider African continent as producers, rather than merely consumers, of clean mobility technologies.
