By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Olufemi Peters, has launched the virtual ceremony for Course 2 of the Certificate Program in Electric Vehicle and Auto Diagnostics, in partnership with the Auto Clinic Center.
Professor Peters said the program is designed to address unemployment and boost Nigeria’s economy through public-private partnerships, particularly in the fast-growing field of electric mobility.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Technology, Innovation and Research, Professor Christine Ofulue, he commended the innovative efforts of the Center and expressed gratitude to the partners and participants.
“This virtual flag-off of Course 2 of the Certificate in Electric Vehicles and Auto Diagnostics, facilitated by the Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD) of the university, is a collaboration between NOUN and the Auto Clinic Center, Abuja,” she said.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Registrar of NOUN, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, expressed appreciation for the initiative and reiterated the significance of the program in preparing individuals for the future of e-mobility.
He assured participants of high-quality instruction and highlighted the importance of the internship component, which will be arranged in collaboration with the auto industry.
Ajayi emphasized the university’s commitment to promoting skill-based education aligned with national and global needs.
The CEO of Auto Clinic Center, Mr. Nathaniel Okwesiri, who joined the event virtually from Austria, expressed gratitude for the partnership and stressed the need to create professional mechanics through a blend of graduate and non-graduate training.
Professor Shehu Usman Adamu, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) and Chairman of the Vice Chancellor’s Committee on Certificate Courses, noted that the Auto Clinic Training Initiative is crucial in preparing technicians for the evolving world of electric vehicles, aligning with Nigeria’s transition toward cleaner and more sustainable mobility.
He highlighted the collaboration between NOUN and stakeholders in building strong national capacity for electric vehicle repair and innovation, urging trainees to take the opportunity seriously and lead the transformation of Nigeria’s mobility landscape.
Joining from the COP 30 Summit in Brazil, the keynote speaker and CEO of Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), Prince Mustapha Mona Audu, spoke on the promising future of electric vehicles in Nigeria and Africa.
He emphasized Nigeria’s potential to become a leader in electric mobility, given its vast market and the continent’s urgent need for sustainable transportation solutions.
Prince Audu explained the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of maintaining EVs compared to internal combustion vehicles and underscored the importance of training young people in EV technology.
He announced the donation of two electric vehicles—a two-wheeler and a three-wheeler—to NOUN, along with plans to develop charging infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones.
In goodwill messages, Professor Isaac Sammani Rabo Butswat and Engineer Mohammed Chubado Tahir stressed the importance of advancing electric vehicle technology and building a skilled workforce for maintenance and innovation.
In his welcome address, the Director of CHRD, Professor Aminu Umar, said the course aligns with the vision
