It’s official!
Nigeria has produced its first electric car – courtesy the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka, Enugu state.
Built by the University’s Engineering faculty re-christened Lion Ozumba 551.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Charles Igwe, says the car was made with 80 per cent locally-sourced materials; it could undertake a 30-kilometer distance when fully charged.
Igwe expressed delight that it was now a reality.
Nnubia Ogbuefi, a tech writer, took to twitter to celebrate the fit.
Breakthrough
Jelani Aliyu, the Director-General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) described the production of Lion Ozumba 551 as a breakthrough.
“NADDC on Feb. 6, invited UNN, University of Lagos, Usman Dan Fodio University and Metrological Institute and urged them to prepare a paper design on how to produce electric car in the country.
“The council is happy that UNN is the first to prepare a paper design and produced electrical car that has been unveiled and test-run today in the university.
“We urge other universities and higher institutions in the country to emulate innovation and technology spirit of UNN.”
The car costs N800,000 to produce it.
A major highlight of the event was the driving of the car round the university campus.
The movement of the car attracted many staff members and students of the institution, who thronged the major roads to catch a glimpse of the innovation.