The Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC) to advance indigenous electric vehicle (EV) production and develop the skilled workforce required to support Nigeria's emerging clean mobility industry.

The agreement, described as the first of its kind between a Nigerian electric vehicle manufacturer and a polytechnic, is aimed at strengthening collaboration between industry and technical education while promoting local capacity in the automotive value chain.

Under the partnership, both institutions will jointly design and develop market-ready electric vehicles tailored to Nigerian and African conditions. They will also collaborate on battery technology research, including cell assembly, battery management systems and the local sourcing of components.

The agreement further provides structured training for students in electric vehicle design, assembly, battery systems and after-sales maintenance, alongside shared access to laboratories, workshops and other research facilities.

As part of the collaboration, the partners plan to establish a Centre of Excellence in Electric Mobility at the polytechnic, develop specialised curricula in electric vehicle engineering and renewable energy, and create internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students.

Other areas of cooperation include faculty exchange programmes, joint research and patent development, entrepreneurship support for student innovators, deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure on campus, local fabrication of vehicle components and joint applications for research grants.

Speaking on the partnership, the Chief Executive Officer of EMVC, Prince Mustapha Mona Audu, said the initiative demonstrates the company's commitment to building a sustainable electric vehicle industry through investment in local talent, innovation and technology.

He noted that the collaboration would support the development of vehicles and battery technologies suited to local conditions while equipping the next generation of Nigerian engineers and technicians with practical skills.

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Dr Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin, described the partnership as a significant milestone in aligning technical education with the practical needs of Nigeria's growing clean energy and mobility sector.

According to him, the agreement will provide students with valuable exposure to real-world engineering, manufacturing and innovation, preparing them for opportunities within the rapidly evolving electric vehicle industry.