…Targets youth employment, new businesses and affordable transportation with electric vehicles, motorcycles
The Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has unveiled electric vehicles and motorcycles as alternative transportation options with the potential to reduce operating costs, create jobs and stimulate economic activities in the community.
The council chairman, Hon. Akinola Abiodun Idowu, disclosed this on Wednesday during the exhibition and launch of electric vehicles and motorcycles organised in partnership with Eagle SP Green and Innovations Centre at the council secretariat.
Dodo as he’s fondly called, said the initiative was designed to introduce residents to emerging electric mobility technology and explore its potential to make transportation more affordable while opening new employment and business opportunities, particularly for young people and commercial transport operators.
He noted that transportation costs and rising petrol prices had continued to place a financial burden on households, traders, artisans and business owners, stressing that electric vehicles could provide an alternative worth considering.
According to him, electric vehicles and motorcycles could help reduce daily operating expenses because electricity may cost less per kilometre than petrol, depending on charging tariffs, vehicle efficiency and usage patterns.
He said lower running and some maintenance costs could enable commercial motorcycle operators and other transport businesses to retain more of their earnings, improve their livelihoods and reinvest in their businesses.
The chairman, however, advised prospective buyers to consider acquisition costs, battery lifespan, charging facilities, electricity supply, spare-parts availability and after-sales support before investing in the technology.
Beyond transportation, Idowu identified electric mobility as an emerging industry capable of generating employment across several areas, including vehicle sales, maintenance, electrical repairs, battery diagnostics, charging services, spare-parts distribution and technical support.
He said the expansion of the sector could create opportunities for young people to acquire specialised skills, secure employment or establish businesses that support the growing electric vehicle market.
“Our aim should not be merely to bring electric vehicles into Orile-Agege. We should also look at how our people can participate in the industry that supports them,” he said.
Idowu urged mechanics, electricians, artisans and other skilled workers to upgrade their knowledge to take advantage of opportunities in electric vehicle servicing and maintenance.
He added that the council would continue to encourage partnerships that promote vocational training, entrepreneurship and practical skills capable of helping residents secure jobs and become self-reliant.
The chairman recalled that some youths in the LCDA had benefited from a solar energy training programme facilitated by Eagle SP Green and Innovations Centre about a year ago. He expressed optimism that the existing partnership would deliver further opportunities through training in electric mobility and related technical fields.
He called on the organisation to deepen its collaboration with the council to equip interested residents with the technical knowledge required to participate in the emerging industry.
On environmental benefits, Idowu said fully electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions while driving and are generally quieter at low speeds than conventional vehicles. He noted that their adoption could contribute to reducing roadside air pollution and traffic noise in the community.
He nevertheless stressed the need for safe charging infrastructure, proper battery handling and responsible recycling to ensure the technology’s sustainable use.
The chairman also called for stronger collaboration among the Lagos State Government, local councils, private investors, training institutions and other stakeholders to accelerate the development of electric mobility.
He said such cooperation would help address transportation challenges, expand technical training and ensure residents benefit from the economic opportunities associated with emerging technologies.
Idowu urged commercial motorcycle operators, transporters, traders and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the exhibition to learn about the vehicles, compare operating costs and assess their suitability for their businesses.
He also encouraged young people to embrace technical education and emerging skills, noting that the future of work would increasingly favour those prepared to adapt to technological changes.
The chairman expressed appreciation to Eagle SP Green and Innovations Centre for partnering with the council, expressing hope that the initiative would promote affordable transportation, strengthen local enterprise and create sustainable employment opportunities for residents of Orile-Agege.
Speaking earlier in her welcome address, 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.
