Gov Aiyedatiwa moves to reduce transport costs with electric buses

…signs MoU for N900m pilot fleet, charging station

The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has initiated plans to reduce transportation costs through the introduction of electric buses and charging stations, beginning with an investment of N900 million in five buses.

The initiative, which will commence in Akure, is expected to offer commuters a cheaper transport option while promoting cleaner energy and improving public transport services across the state.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Transport, Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi, disclosed this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and ADMINSERV, an information technology company, for the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) buses and installation of charging stations.

Ogunyemi said each of the five buses planned for the pilot phase would cost N180 million, bringing the total initial investment to N900 million.

He explained that charging stations would be installed at selected bus stops in Akure, with plans to extend the facilities to other local government areas.

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According to him, the charging infrastructure would also be available to individuals and organisations operating electric vehicles, beyond the buses deployed under the initiative.

He described the project as a pioneering effort in the state, noting that electric mobility was part of the government’s response to rising transportation costs.

Ogunyemi said the state was pursuing electric mobility alongside compressed natural gas (CNG) as alternative energy sources to reduce the transportation burden on residents.

He added that the government was developing CNG infrastructure, including facilities at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and opposite an NNPC facility in Ore, to improve access to alternative fuel across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The transport adviser’s remarks followed discussions involving transport commissioners, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Implementation Committee on CNG and electric vehicles on alternative energy solutions for the transport sector.

The Managing Director of ADMINSERV, Peter Nnamani, said the company was established in 2025 to develop technology-driven transportation solutions, adding that the Ondo project would be its first in Nigeria.

He said the proposed system would combine electric buses with an artificial intelligence-enabled application to improve transport management, reduce waiting times, monitor drivers and buses, and address security concerns.

Nnamani projected that users’ monthly transportation expenses could fall from about N9,000 to between N5,000 and N6,000 under the proposed system.

He said the buses would operate on scheduled routes to improve punctuality and reduce waiting times, while the installation and management of charging facilities would create employment opportunities.

The initiative is expected to complement the state’s efforts to expand alternative-energy transportation and provide residents with more affordable commuting options.

However, the actual savings for commuters will depend on fares, routes covered, service frequency and the eventual scale of deployment.