Orile-Agege LCDA Unveils Electric Vehicles, Motorcycles to Cut Transport Costs

…as council boss highlights job creation, skills development, environmental benefits

The Executive Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Akinola Abiodun Idowu, has unveiled electric vehicles and motorcycles as part of efforts to explore affordable transportation options, create jobs and equip residents with skills for emerging technologies.

Idowu spoke on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the exhibition and launch ceremony of electric vehicles and motorcycles held at the council secretariat, in partnership with Eagle SP Green and Innovations Centre.

He said the initiative was designed to expose residents to emerging transportation technologies and enable them to assess their potential benefits, challenges and business opportunities.

According to him, rising transportation costs and petrol prices have continued to put pressure on household incomes, particularly among commercial motorcycle operators, traders, artisans and other residents who depend on daily transportation for their livelihoods.

He noted that electric mobility could offer an alternative to conventional petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles, potentially reducing running costs and creating new economic opportunities.

“Transportation is part of our everyday life. Our traders need to move their goods to the market. Our artisans need to get to their places of work. Our workers and business owners spend money moving from one location to another,” he said.

The chairman, however, urged prospective users to consider the purchase price, battery lifespan, replacement costs, charging infrastructure, electricity supply and maintenance requirements before investing in electric vehicles.

He encouraged commercial motorcycle operators, transporters, traders and entrepreneurs to use the exhibition to obtain reliable information and compare the cost of owning and operating electric vehicles with conventional alternatives.

Idowu described the council’s partnership with Eagle SP Green and Innovations Centre as an important step towards technology transfer and skills development, recalling that some youths in the area had benefited from a solar energy training programme facilitated by the organisation about a year ago.

He said the experience demonstrated how collaboration between government and private-sector organisations could equip residents with practical skills that promote employment, income generation and self-reliance.

The chairman commended the organisation for bringing the initiative to Orile-Agege and expressed hope that the partnership would lead to more training programmes, business opportunities and youth employment.

On job creation, Idowu said the growing electric mobility sector could open opportunities in vehicle servicing, battery diagnostics, electrical and electronic repairs, charging services, spare-parts supply, sales and customer support.

He urged young people and artisans, particularly mechanics and electricians, to upgrade their skills to meet the changing demands of the transportation industry.

According to him, the council is interested not only in introducing electric vehicles to the community but also in ensuring that residents acquire the knowledge and technical expertise needed to participate in the sector.

The chairman also highlighted the potential environmental and public health benefits of electric mobility, noting that fully electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions while driving and are generally quieter at low speeds than conventional vehicles.

He said wider adoption could help reduce roadside air pollution and traffic noise in residential areas, markets, schools and other public spaces.

However, he stressed the need for responsible battery handling, recycling and appropriate charging facilities to minimise environmental risks associated with electric mobility.

Idowu further emphasised the importance of safety, affordability and quality, urging prospective buyers to seek information about vehicle range, charging time, battery warranties, spare-parts availability, safety features and after-sales support.

He also called for stronger collaboration among the Lagos State Government, local councils, private-sector operators, training institutions and investors to develop the electric mobility sector.

According to him, such partnerships could help address transportation challenges, expand access to technical training and ensure that emerging technologies translate into tangible benefits for residents.

The chairman reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to initiatives that promote vocational training, entrepreneurship, technical knowledge and youth development.

He urged Eagle SP Green and Innovations Centre to explore further training opportunities in electric mobility and related technical fields, while calling on traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations, market associations and transport operators to help residents understand the opportunities and requirements of the technology.

He said the success of electric mobility in Orile-Agege would depend on vehicle quality, reliable technical support, adequate infrastructure and informed decisions by prospective users.

Idowu welcomed the participation of representatives of the Lagos State Government, fellow council chairmen, commissioners, permanent secretaries and other stakeholders, expressing hope that the event would stimulate further discussions on investment, infrastructure and skills development.

He thanked Eagle SP Green and Innovations Centre for partnering with the council and expressed optimism that the collaboration would deliver lasting benefits to the people of Orile-Agege.

Speaking earlier, the Council Manager, Orile-Agege LCDA, Mrs. Ayoronke Seriki-Kehinde, said the council was determined to domesticate the global shift towards clean energy by promoting electric mobility at the grassroots.

Seriki-Kehinde said the exhibition was designed to demystify electric mobility and create awareness about electric vehicles as a sustainable, efficient and economically viable alternative to conventional fuel-powered transportation.

She noted that the council deliberately focused on electric motorcycles and tricycles because of their importance to the local economy and livelihoods of millions of Lagosians.

According to her, the electric alternatives offer significant economic advantages, including a reduction of more than 40 per cent in maintenance and energy costs for operators.

She also highlighted the environmental benefits of e-mobility, noting that zero-emission vehicles would contribute to cleaner air and reduced noise pollution in Lagos.

Seriki-Kehinde said the electric mobility value chain, including charging infrastructure, battery swapping, vehicle assembly and maintenance, also presented significant opportunities for youth employment and economic empowerment.

She said Orile-Agege LCDA was ready to serve as a pilot and model for electric mobility adoption at the grassroots, urging transport unions, youths, investors and development partners to engage with exhibitors and explore the opportunities presented by the emerging sector.

She added that the initiative aligned with the Lagos State Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda, particularly its focus on transportation, economic development and youth empowerment.