
First Off-Road Electric Vehicle MHERO 917 Unveiled in Nigeria.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s transition toward sustainable mobility. This was disclosed during the official unveiling of the Saglev MHERO 917, the First Off-Road Electric Vehicle (EV) in Nigeria.
The event, hosted by Saglev Motors at the Alliance Française in Ikoyi, Lagos on July 16th, 2025 marks a historic step in Nigeria’s evolving automotive landscape.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the NADDC Director General ably represented by Engr. Abdullahi Ayinde, Director of Vehicle Electrification, emphasized the Council’s dedication to accelerating e-mobility adoption. He was joined by Mr. Babatunde Simeone, Special Adviser to the DG, in expressing the Council’s optimism for the sector’s trajectory.
“The growing interest from consumers and global investors reflects the strength of our national EV policy framework,” Ayinde remarked.
In his presentation, the CEO of Sagkev Motors, Dr. Falaye commended the Federal Government and NADDC for their progressive automotive policies, which according to him has continued to catalyze growth and investor confidence in Nigeria’s EV ecosystem.
“This milestone would not be possible without the enabling policies that foster innovation and local assembly” he noted.
The launch of the MHERO 917 reinforces Nigeria’s strides in embracing clean, future- forward transportation technology. The vehicle, engineered for rugged terrains, symbolizes both innovation and resilience, while defining qualities of the nation’s EV market.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of Saglev Motors’ partnership with Dongfeng Motors, a global automotive leader, to assemble the limited-edition MHERO 917 locally.This strategic alliance signals growing international confidence in Nigeria’s automotive assembly capabilities.The introduction of the MHERO 917 not only aligns with national objectives around inclusive mobility, climate resilience, and the energy transition, it also represents a tangible step toward achieving Nigeria’s net-zero emissions targets, while deepening local capacity in clean energy technology and advanced vehicle engineering.
As the Nigerian EV market gains momentum, NADDC remains committed to fostering innovation, building infrastructure, and supporting indigenous manufacturers that will drive the nation’s Automotive future.