In what is being hailed as a bold and visionary stride toward sustainable development and grassroots empowerment, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has launched Nigeria’s first constituency-based electric vehicle (EV) empowerment scheme in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The initiative, which will see more than 100 constituents, mainly women, farmers, and small business owners, receive locally assembled electric vehicles, marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s transition toward clean energy and green innovation.
The project, unveiled as part of the senator’s annual constituency empowerment programme, is the first large-scale introduction of made-in-Nigeria electric vehicles for community use.
It not only underscores her commitment to inclusive empowerment but also signals a new model for constituency representation that blends technology, sustainability, and economic opportunity.
In a statement issued by her Media Office and made available to THISDAY on Friday evening, in Abuja, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the initiative as “a futuristic twist” to her ritual of giving back, one that “champions sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance.”
According to the statement, the project is being executed in collaboration with renewable energy expert, Mr. Udensi Bernard, who narrated how the initiative began with an impromptu visit by the senator and her husband to his office two weeks earlier.
“She came straight to the point and said, ‘I want to carry out my yearly empowerment, but this time, I want to empower my people with electric vehicles,’” Bernard recalled.
He explained that production and assembly of the vehicles began immediately after the meeting, using local materials and labour.
The models, he noted, were carefully designed for durability, low maintenance, and affordability, ensuring they meet the everyday needs of rural dwellers and small-scale entrepreneurs.
“For farmers, these vehicles make it easier to move produce to markets; for business owners, they help cut logistics costs; and for transport operators, they boost profits by reducing dependence on petrol and diesel,” Bernard said.
He added that electric vehicles would also bring long-term benefits to the local economy, including reduced fuel expenditure, minimal maintenance requirements, and lower carbon emissions, aligning with Nigeria’s gradual shift toward renewable energy and sustainable technologies.
Observers believe the initiative could serve as a national model for integrating green innovation into constituency projects, especially at a time when the country is seeking solutions to rising fuel costs, environmental degradation, and unemployment.
Beyond providing immediate relief to beneficiaries, the project positions Kogi Central as a pioneer in Nigeria’s clean mobility revolution.
It also highlights the potential of legislative-driven interventions to accelerate local adoption of emerging technologies.
“Senator Natasha’s initiative is not just empowerment. It is a visionary step toward a cleaner, smarter, and more self-reliant Nigeria,” Bernard noted.
Since resuming her legislative duties after a six-month suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has moved quickly to reconnect with her constituents through high-impact, people-centred projects.
Her previous interventions have included the installation of solar-powered streetlights across communities, women’s skill development programmes, and grants for small-scale enterprises.
The EV empowerment scheme is expected to be officially launched in the coming weeks, with key stakeholders from government, industry, and the renewable energy sector expected to attend.
The event is projected to draw national attention, not only for its novelty but also for its potential to reshape perceptions about what constituency projects can achieve.
The programme’s broader goals are both economic and environmental.
Economically, it seeks to reduce logistics expenses for small business owners, increase profit margins for transport operators, and enhance mobility for farmers and traders in rural areas.
Environmentally, it aims to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, consistent with Nigeria’s commitments to global climate goals and renewable energy adoption.
According to her Media Office, all vehicles under the scheme are being locally assembled, promoting indigenous technical expertise and creating new employment opportunities within Nigeria’s automotive and renewable energy sectors.
By focusing on electric vehicles, a technology often viewed as futuristic, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is demonstrating how local governance and grassroots representation can drive innovation that directly benefits ordinary citizens.
Political observers and environmental advocates alike have praised the senator’s approach, describing it as a model of forward-thinking leadership capable of inspiring similar interventions nationwide.
As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of fuel subsidy removal, inflation, and climate change, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initiative offers a refreshing narrative, one that reimagines empowerment not merely as handouts, but as investments in sustainable progress and long-term resilience.
With her electric vehicle empowerment scheme, Akpoti-Uduaghan is not only powering mobility in Kogi Central but also driving a national conversation on innovation, sustainability, and the future of grassroots development in Nigeria.
