The Federal Government has announced plans to roll out 10,000 electric tricycles in August 2026 as part of efforts to improve public transportation and strengthen Nigeria’s transport and logistics network.
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Transporters for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 group, stating that the electric tricycles would be distributed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) across the North-East region and other parts of the country.
According to the Vice President, President Bola Tinubu has approved the replication of the initiative in other regions through the various regional development commissions.
Shettima said the administration’s transport reform agenda is focused on transforming Nigeria’s fragmented transport system into an integrated logistics chain that connects ports, rail lines, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks, inland waterways, airports and local feeder roads to support commerce, agriculture, industry and national integration.
He explained that the government’s strategy is anchored on the nationwide rollout of CNG, major port upgrades and the strengthening of logistics infrastructure, all aimed at improving working conditions for transport workers across road, rail, maritime, aviation and pipeline operations.
“The priority of this administration is to move Nigeria from a fragmented transport system to an integrated logistics chain,” the Vice President said, noting that the goal is to lower transportation costs, reduce delays, connect farms to markets and enhance national productivity.
Shettima said the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative has already demonstrated the viability of using Nigeria’s domestic gas resources to reduce 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.
The Vice President also highlighted ongoing reforms in the maritime sector, including the operationalisation of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the development of the National Single Window project and renewed attention to inland waterways.
He said the reforms are designed to improve efficiency at Nigerian ports and enhance the country’s competitiveness in global trade.
“Before this administration, clearing a container could become an encounter with frustration, corruption and decay. Today, with Lekki Deep Sea Port operational, the National Single Window taking shape and inland waterways receiving attention, our ports are preparing to compete with the world’s best,” he added.
Shettima assured transport operators of continued government support through policies aimed at ensuring affordable fuel, insurable fleets, bankable contracts and improved working conditions.
Earlier, the Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Transportation, Logistics and Innovation, Prince Segun Obayendo, said transport unions across the aviation, maritime, rail and road sectors had unanimously endorsed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
He said the decision followed extensive consultations and was based on what the unions described as the administration’s achievements across various sectors of the economy.
Obayendo added that the transport groups were prepared to mobilise their members nationwide in support of President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Also speaking, Secretary-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Oniha Erazua, commended the administration for recognising the role of transport unions and expressed confidence that ongoing reforms in the sector would yield greater benefits if sustained.
He said stakeholders in the transport industry remain committed to supporting the Tinubu administration and its reform agenda.