Mustapha Abubakar Gajibo, a 31-year-old Nigerian entrepreneur who dropped out of university, is revolutionizing sustainable transportation by building locally made electric vehicles through his startup, Phoenix Renewables Limited, with ambitions to compete on the global stage.
Mustapha Abubakar Gajibo, a 31-year-old Nigerian entrepreneur who left the University of Maiduguri in his fourth year as a Mechanical Engineering student, has made remarkable strides in electric vehicle (EV) innovation by building and manufacturing EVs from scratch.
As the Managing Director of Phoenix Renewables Limited, a Northern Nigeria-based startup, Mustapha specializes in converting petrol-powered vehicles into solar-powered electric vehicles using locally sourced rechargeable batteries. His decision to leave university stemmed from his desire to fully dedicate himself to solving environmental challenges through sustainable transportation.
Motivated by the economic impact of mass-imported tricycles in Nigeria, Mustapha focused on manufacturing locally made electric tricycles to promote job creation and reduce foreign exchange outflow. After three years of development, he successfully produced 50 electric tricycles, each offering a 200km range per charge, now in commercial use in Maiduguri.
Initially dependent on imported materials, his company now fabricates vehicle chassis locally, integrating high-capacity batteries and solar panels for supplementary charging. The EVs feature modern amenities like traffic indicators, radios, and air conditioning, while their zero-emission design reduces noise pollution and operational costs compared to petrol-powered vehicles.
Beyond his local success, Mustapha envisions his innovation reaching global markets, setting his sights on competing with brands like Tesla. “We want to have our vehicles driven in New York, London, Munich, and other big cities across the world,” he said.
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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION
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