Lagos State has received 11 new electric buses from Oando Clean Energy Limited as part of a partnership aimed at transforming public transportation and deploying 552 electric vehicles across the state.
The buses were delivered to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), bringing the total number of electric buses supplied by Oando under the initiative to 13.
Hadiza Adukonu, Vice President of Opportunity, Maturation and New Ventures at Oando Clean Energy, disclosed the development in a video shared by LAMATA on its official X account.
According to Adukonu, the 11 buses represent the first batch of an additional 50 electric buses planned for Lagos, with the remaining 39 expected to be delivered subsequently.
She explained that the initiative builds on the deployment of two electric buses in May 2023, which have operated with minimal downtime since their introduction.
Oando Clean Energy and LAMATA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2022 to promote sustainable transportation in Lagos State.
NEW BUSES OFFER MODERN TRANSPORT FEATURES
The newly delivered buses were manufactured by China’s Yutong and can accommodate 79 passengers, comprising 39 seated and 40 standing passengers.
They are equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi connectivity, 360-degree cameras and additional security cameras.
The vehicles also feature wheelchair access and priority seating for elderly passengers, providing improved accessibility for different categories of commuters.
Adukonu said the expansion would ultimately contribute to the deployment of 552 fully electric buses across Lagos State.
EXISTING ELECTRIC BUSES TRANSPORTED 788,000 PASSENGERS
Providing an update on the performance of the first two buses introduced in 2023, Adukonu said they had transported approximately 788,000 passengers and covered 433,000 kilometres between May 2023 and November 2026.
She added that the buses had helped avoid the consumption of approximately 216,000 litres of diesel during the period.
The two vehicles consumed about 584,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity while generating an additional 192,000 kilowatt-hours through regenerative braking technology.
According to Oando, the energy recovery system helps improve operational efficiency by converting energy generated during braking into additional power.
The company believes that expanding the electric bus network will help reduce transport-related emissions, improve air quality and deliver potential health benefits to residents.
LAMATA also expects the initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and noise along major transport routes while reducing dependence on conventional fuels.
LAGOS MOVES TO PHASE OUT DIESEL-POWERED BUSES
The latest delivery comes as Lagos State intensifies efforts to transition towards cleaner energy sources in its public transportation system.
LAMATA is implementing a policy restricting operators introducing new buses into the regulated public transport network to compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric-powered vehicles.
The policy, which took effect at the beginning of 2026, also provides for the gradual replacement of existing diesel-powered buses with cleaner alternatives.
LAMATA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abimbola Akinajo, said the move supports Lagos State’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The state’s transport policy also targets having 52 per cent of its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses powered by cleaner energy by 2050.
With the arrival of the latest 11 buses, Lagos is taking another step towards modernising its public transport system, although the proposed deployment of 552 electric vehicles remains a longer-term target.
NATIONAL PATRIOTS POSITION
The National Patriots commend Lagos State, LAMATA and Oando Clean Energy for expanding electric public transport. Across Nigeria, cleaner transport is delivering practical relief: Kaduna reports over ₦3.5 billion in estimated commuter savings from its free CNG bus service, while Edo’s 50 recently commissioned CNG buses have commenced operations.
These initiatives demonstrate how investment in alternative energy can improve mobility and ease household pressures.
We welcome further expansion, supported by reliable charging and refuelling infrastructure, effective maintenance and affordable fares, so that more Nigerians benefit. We commend the Tinubu administration for this intervention to grant relief to Nigerians.
Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR
President, The National Patriots
Member, APC-PCC Strategic Communications Committee 2027
