Cross River State has launched an Electric Vehicle (EV) Auto Technician Training Programme aimed at preparing young people for opportunities in Nigeria’s emerging electric mobility and green transportation sector.
The programme, which is scheduled to commence in June, will provide free technical training for 100 youths selected from the 18 local government areas of the state under the Local Content VOSEP Initiative.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Content, Ambassador Awatt Caleb, disclosed the development while speaking with journalists in Calabar, saying the initiative is designed to equip participants with practical skills in EV maintenance, manufacturing support and modern automotive technology.
According to Caleb, the programme reflects the state government’s effort to prepare its workforce for the growing adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies across Nigeria.
He said one of the major challenges facing the EV industry is the shortage of trained technicians capable of diagnosing, maintaining and repairing electric vehicles when faults occur.
“One of the biggest challenges in the coming years will be who services electric vehicles when they develop faults. Through this initiative, we are equipping 100 Cross River youths with the skills to fill that critical gap,” Caleb said.
The training will target engineering students of Cross River origin as well as other young people interested in building careers within the automotive sector. Participants will receive technical education focused on electric and hybrid vehicle systems, including the safe handling of high-voltage components used in modern vehicles.
As Nigeria gradually witnesses increased adoption of electric mobility solutions, industry stakeholders have continued to identify technical manpower development as a critical requirement for sustaining the sector’s growth.
Caleb noted that Cross River is positioning itself ahead of the curve by developing local capacity before electric vehicles become more widespread across the country.
“Today, if you drive past 20 vehicles in the city, you are likely to see at least one electric vehicle. Like every other vehicle, it will require servicing at some point. The critical question is: who will repair it when it develops faults?” he said.
“To meet this need, the Local Content Office is working to upskill our youths in the automotive sector, particularly in the safe handling of high-voltage systems used in electric and hybrid vehicles.”
The state government believes the programme will not only improve youth employability but also support the creation of a skilled workforce capable of serving the future needs of the automotive industry.
Caleb said the initiative aligns with the administration of Governor Bassey Otu’s broader agenda of creating economic opportunities for young people through skills development and workforce readiness programmes.
The programme is being implemented in collaboration with Japanese automotive repair engineers and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), a partnership expected to provide participants with exposure to industry-standard practices and emerging technologies in electric vehicle maintenance.
Cross River is also engaging automotive industry stakeholders, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), to strengthen the talent pipeline required to support future EV adoption and related manufacturing activities.
According to Caleb, the long-term objective is to establish a pool of qualified technicians that can support sustainable transportation initiatives while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s green economy.
As investment in electric mobility continues to expand across Africa, the programme places Cross River among the states taking early steps to build the technical capacity needed for the next phase of transportation and energy transition.
