Oando Rolls Out More Electric Buses In Lagos After 788,000 Passengers

Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) has rolled out additional electric buses in Lagos, moving from proof-of-concept to full deployment under its e-mobility partnership with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

The rollout follows the successful trial of two electric buses, which have carried about 788,000 passengers, covered 433,000km and avoided roughly 216,000 litres of diesel, with close to zero downtime.In the first nine months of 2026 alone, the service recorded more than 212,000 passenger journeys at 73% average capacity utilisation.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the buses support the state’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“This is more than the introduction of new buses. It is a practical demonstration of our commitment to reducing transportation-related emissions, improving air quality, and building a public transport system that serves both present and future generations,” Osiyemi said.

The Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, welcomed the delivery and pointed to the more than two years of operating data from the proof-of-concept phase.

“Ultimately, the success of this initiative will not be measured by the number of electric buses introduced, but by the quality of service they provide and the positive impact they make on the community experience of Lagos residents,” she said.

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The President and Chief Executive Officer of OCEL, Ademola Ogunbanjo, said the company had done the work and gathered the data needed to move confidently from trial to deployment.

“We have done the work, gathered the data, and built the practical experience required to move confidently from proof-of-concept to deployment. Our objective is not merely to encourage Nigerians to adopt electric vehicles, but to demonstrate through practical experience that electric mobility can work efficiently, reliably, and sustainably in our environment,” Ogunbanjo said.

He said OCEL is building a full e-mobility ecosystem — charging infrastructure, after-sales service, technical training, a spare parts supply chain and local vehicle assembly, which the company is now licensed to do.”This is how we move beyond importing electric vehicles to building an industry. If it can work in Lagos, it can work anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, the Divisional Head, Infrastructure Finance, Ibitoru Olutoyin Ubosi, said the investment is in line with the bank’s mandate to drive economic growth.

“Transportation connects people to jobs, to businesses, to markets, and to opportunities. The quality of our transportation systems therefore has a direct bearing on our economic competitiveness and the well-being of our citizens. Investing in cleaner, reliable mass transit is an investment in both,” she said.

The Country Account Manager, Yutong West Africa, Damian Li, said electric buses are already running in the UK, South America, Europe and the Middle East, and are now in Lagos.

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“This is much more than handing over buses. It is the start of a green public transport future for Lagos and Nigeria,” Li said.

He said Yutong will support charging, after-sales service, mechanic training and the supply of spare parts.

The new buses, built by Yutong, each carry up to 79 passengers — 39 seated and 40 standing. They offer air conditioning, onboard Wi-Fi, 360-degree cameras, wheelchair access and priority seating for elderly passengers.

The buses are expected to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2026, with LAMATA operating them on behalf of the Lagos State Government.

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