The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, has developed an electric tricycle and is seeking government and corporate support to mass-produce it, aiming to boost local production, reduce importation, and create jobs.
Dr. Mukail Akinde, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, announced on Friday that the institution plans to establish a mini assembly plant for the mass production of its newly developed electric tricycle. He urged the Federal Government and corporate organizations, particularly those in the manufacturing sector, to support the polytechnic’s commitment to commercializing the invention.
Akinde emphasized that mass-producing the tricycle would significantly reduce importation, ease pressure on foreign exchange, and create job opportunities for Nigeria’s youth.
He made these remarks during a visit by the institution’s Governing Council, led by Chairman Alhaji Garba Gashua, and the National Automotive Design and Development Council to the polytechnic’s innovation center, where they inspected the newly developed electric tricycle. The polytechnic is reportedly the first institution to design and assemble this type of tricycle within its innovation center.
The rector called on the Federal Government to provide additional funding to the polytechnic to foster more innovations, research, and development. He explained that the current prototype is designed to carry three people—one rider and two passengers—and features a solar-powered panel for charging. The polytechnic is seeking partnerships with companies like Innoson to take the innovation to the commercial stage.
“If we cannot produce this tricycle in commercial quantities, it means we will have to import it, which will increase pressure on our exchange rate,” Akinde stated. He added that the institution aims to produce 10 tricycles or more and assured that by next season, three tricycles would be operational on campus.
Chairman Garba Gashua expressed pride in the polytechnic’s innovation after riding the tricycle and noted that most of the materials used were sourced locally. He proposed that future models should accommodate three passengers in the back and one rider in the front, similar to conventional tricycles.
The Director of Vehicle Electrification at the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr. Ayinde Abdullahi, praised the initiative and noted that the completion of raw material companies being developed by the Federal Government would enhance local automobile production.
Director of the Innovation Center, Jide Soyemi, highlighted that the center was established three years ago to equip students with cutting-edge technology skills not typically covered in the curriculum but relevant to the industry. The center focuses on areas such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, drone technology, and portable inverters for small businesses. Soyemi added that students contributed over 80% to the development of the new tricycle.
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