The Presidency has thrown its weight behind the expansion of electric vehicle initiatives across Nigeria, following the rollout of 1,000 electric vehicles by ProTaxi in Abuja.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Transportation and Mobility, Prince Adetokunbo Ade-John, made the call during the official launch of the ProTaxi e-hailing platform in Abuja.
Ade-John commended the Chief Executive Officer of PromiseLand Innovation, Emmanuel Oloche, describing the initiative as a practical demonstration of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s transportation system.
He urged the company to sustain the initiative and extend its electric mobility services to other parts of the country.
“I commend the CEO of PromiseLand Innovation for taking this bold step in advancing transportation and mobility in Nigeria,” Ade-John said.
He noted that the Federal Government was already pursuing the deployment of electric buses and compressed natural gas-powered vehicles, stressing that private-sector initiatives could complement government efforts in transforming the nation’s transport sector.
Ade-John also disclosed that he would present the ProTaxi initiative to relevant Federal Government officials and agencies for consideration.
He encouraged Nigerians to support locally developed solutions, noting that Oloche had committed personal resources to the project.
“If a single man can do this with his personal resources, we don’t need investors from outside. You are a son of the soil,” he said.
The Presidency’s backing comes as ProTaxi begins operations in Abuja, offering commuters an electric-powered e-hailing option while seeking to create income opportunities for drivers and their families.
‘We want to reshape communities’
Speaking at the launch, Oloche said ProTaxi was conceived as part of PromiseLand Innovation’s broader plan to use technology to create economic opportunities and improve livelihoods.
According to him, the platform is designed to provide opportunities for drivers while offering Nigerians another transportation option through electric mobility.
“We believe that when we create opportunities for thousands of drivers, we are not watching families, but we are reshaping communities,” Oloche said.
He explained that the company’s vision extends beyond providing an e-hailing service, as it hopes to build an African technology company capable of competing globally.
“Our mission is to build an African technology company that will transform everyday living and eventually compete with the best in the world,” he said.
ProTaxi had earlier announced plans to onboard and empower 1,000 drivers with electric vehicles, with the initiative positioned as both a transportation and livelihood programme.
The company had also said the use of electric vehicles was intended to provide a more environmentally friendly transportation option while potentially reducing operating pressures associated with conventional fuel-powered vehicles.
Also speaking, Executive Director of PromiseLand Estate, Gift Emmanuel, said the company intended to expand the initiative beyond Abuja.
“The vision is to help the masses. And, at least, he’s here in Abuja now, and we are moving to other states to help other people too,” she said.
With the Abuja rollout now underway, attention is expected to shift to the company’s planned expansion and the role private-sector electric mobility projects could play in Nigeria’s evolving transportation system.
