Nord Automobiles, an indigenous automobile manufacturer, has delivered 50 high-capacity, ultra-modern Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) city buses to the federal government through the Ministry of Finance, adding to ongoing efforts to improve public transportation in urban centres and expand its clean-energy mobility agenda.
Speaking during the ceremony, Oluwatobi Ajayi, executive chairman of Nord Automobiles, stated that the company remains committed to meeting Nigeria’s growing demand for both commercial and passenger vehicles.
Ajayi applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing and enforcing the Nigeria First Policy, which encourages patronage of locally manufactured products.
“This is an opportunity to showcase our industrial capacity as one of Nigeria’s foremost auto makers and to support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to provide Nigerians with a better quality of life, including affordable transportation.
“We have delivered according to budget, according to specification, and on schedule,” he said.
Ajayi expressed satisfaction that the company continues to add value to the nation, noting that the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi) will determine the nationwide distribution of the buses.
“I understand they will be deployed across all six geopolitical zones,” he added.
He emphasised that the buses were fully assembled at the company’s Epe plant, stressing that CNG-powered vehicles remain significantly more cost-effective than petrol or diesel options.
He further revealed that the factory now has a production capacity of over 20,000 units annually, with the ability to meet large-scale orders.
Beyond buses, Nord also manufactures sedans, SUVs, and other mobility solutions and is currently assembling 1,000 tricycles in Kwara State.
According to Ajayi, PCNGi confirmed that Nord is the first company to deliver 100 percent of its obligations under the national CNG programme.
“We also possess the capacity to maintain the buses. Our after-sales network is the widest among Nigerian assemblers, you can check the BPP website,” he noted.
Each Nord-branded city bus is designed to carry 60 passengers, 30 seated and 30 standing, and comes fully air-conditioned. Its additional features include surveillance cameras; an electronic ticketing system, in-built fire extinguisher, spacious aisle and large viewing windows, decentralised air-conditioning vents with individual controls, and phone charging ports at every seat.
The buses are optimised for city operations and aim to improve commuter experience across the country.
