Around the world, countries are moving away from automotive carbon fuels and switching to electric vehicles, in response to the global push for cleaner transportation as a way to mitigate climate change.
Aside from the obvious benefits to the environment, electric vehicles have the potential to create millions of jobs for Nigerian youths, addressing the critical problem of youth unemployment while also contributing to climate change mitigation.
Adopting electric vehicles will enhance the economy, promote sustainability, and provide meaningful employment opportunities for the country’s youth. By transitioning to an EV-based transportation system, Nigeria can unlock a wide range of job roles across the value chain, including manufacturing, infrastructure development, charging station deployment, maintenance, and support services.
jobs in manufacturing
Large auto companies like Tesla manufacture the finished product. But many of the EV parts are made by smaller companies specializing in individual components, such as batteries and charging ports. These parts are then sold to big companies for assembly.
EVs will create manufacturing and assembly jobs. Trained professionals will be required for manufacturing and assembling EV parts, manufacturing and maintaining EV batteries, and supplying battery and EV components. This will boost the country’s local manufacturing sector, save Nigeria the $8 billion it spends on vehicle importation each year, and reduce our dependence on imports.
Most of the professionals involved in designing and manufacturing EVs also build EV charging stations. EV owners can purchase and install these stations in their homes and workplaces or they can use public charging stations built by government and private companies. Possible EVS aims to develop a robust charging network infrastructure to increase accessibility and convenience for EV owners, further encouraging the transition to electric vehicles.
This will employ many Nigerian EV technicians trained in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining EV charging infrastructure. EV battery technicians—specialists in handling and maintaining EV batteries, ensuring optimal performance and longevity—would also be employed.
The adoption of EVs will also create a demand for fleet maintenance managers, experts responsible for managing and maintaining large EV fleets for businesses and government agencies.
A new workforce with specialized skills and expertise will be created. There will be increased demand for training programs and vocational education. Possible EVS, through its electric vehicle experience center (EVEC), aims to partner with the government and key players in the automotive industry to provide training for this new workforce.
jobs in EV design and development
Engineers and engineering technicians, software developers, and industrial designers all work together to design and build EV components. Skilled engineers will be needed to design and develop the processes or devices for the manufacturing of EVs. Software engineers who’re experts in software updates and diagnostic systems for EVs wil be needed to create the software used to control the various systems in the vehicle, such as the engine, battery, generator, and electric motor. This will create enormous job opportunities in construction, manufacturing, software engineering, and industrial design.
jobs in sales and support
Buying an electric vehicle, especially for the first time, is always a big and complicated decision to make for many customers. Managing this transaction process will require the expertise of marketing and sales professionals. This will create a lot of jobs in sales and ancillary. Sales personnel will be hired to help customers through the process of purchasing the EV that suits their needs. Customer service representatives will be employed to assist owners with inquiries, warranty claims, and technical support.
Logistics and supply chain specialists will be employed to manage the distribution and transportation of EVs and related components.
renewable energy integration
As EVs align well with renewable energy, the demand for solar panels will increase, creating opportunities for skilled technicians in solar panel installations. There will also be a need for renewable energy consultants, professionals who will advise technicians on integrating renewable energy sources into EV charging infrastructure, optimizing efficiency and reducing carbon footprint.
EV adoption will spur the development of all these technical skills and equip the Nigerian workforce with expertise in emerging technologies.
Electric vehicles are an important part of our plan to transition to a greener economy. They produce no carbon emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. There’s great potential for job creation in the EV industry, and new employment opportunities will emerge as the EV infrastructure is expanded to support the growth of the industry.