Campus News

UNILORIN EV team wins N2 Million NADDC research grant

By Mustafa Abubakar

TThe University of Ilorin Electric Vehicle (EV) Bus Competition Team has received a ₦2 million research support grant from the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in recognition of its outstanding performance during the Maiden 8-Seater Electric Vehicle (EV) Campus Shuttle Bus Development Competition.

               In a notification letter to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), the Team Lead, Prof. A. T. Ajiboye of the Department of Computer Engineering, stated, “I wish to notify you that a research support grant has been received from the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in recognition of the team members’ dedication, sensitivity, and teamwork during the design phase of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Campus Shuttle (8-Seater) Bus Competition.”

               According to him, the sum of Two Million Naira (₦2,000,000) research support grant was received to compensate for all the diligent sacrifices and to further help the team advance its EV research.

               Prof. Ajiboye thanked the University management for giving members of the team the opportunity to serve.

               In a separate correspondence from the NADDC, addressed to the Vice Chancellor, the NADDC Director-General, Engr A. N. Ayinde, congratulated the University “for its active participation in the Maiden 8-Seater Electric Vehicle (EV) Campus Shuttle Bus Development Competition, a landmark initiative fostering indigenous innovation, clean mobility solutions, and engineering excellence across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.”

               The letter, dated 11th August, 2025 and signed by the Director, Department of Vehicle Electrification, on behalf of the Director-General said, “In recognition of the dedication, creativity, and teamwork of your students and academic advisors during the Design Phase, the NADDC has awarded your University’s EV Bus Competition Team a Research Support Grant of N2,000,000. This has been directly disbursed to the designated Team Lead to both compensate for all the diligent sacrifices made over the past four months, including expenses incurred, and to further help the team advance their EV project strides.”

               The NADDC further urged the University Management to continue to support the team, stressing, “We kindly seek your continuous support for the team in other regards to help motivate and preserve the momentum they have built, and also sustain their readiness for other research collaborations relating to Electric Vehicle technology. The NADDC is again grateful for your institution’s commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening government-academia-industry collaboration, and we look forward to celebrating even greater achievements together.”

               While receiving the notification, the Vice Chancellor congratulated the Dean and the EV Team, urging them to sustain the spirit of innovation and excellence that has brought recognition to the University.

               In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, who presented the award notification to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Olaoye, expressed appreciation for the encouragement of the University Management on the project.

               The UNILORIN EV competition team comprised Dr K. O. Abdulrahman of Mechanical Engineering, who is the Project Manager and academic advisor; Prof. J. K. Odusote of Materials and Metallurgy Engineering; Dr I. I. Aun of Business Administration; Dr S. A. Olaniyan of Architecture; and Emmanuel Okunlola of Velhect Limited, Gwarinpa, Abuja, who served as Industry Expert.

               Other members, are Engr Ganiyu Adedokun of Mechanical Engineering; Engr Ariyo Bashiru Olalekan of Electrical and Electronics Engineering; Engr V. T. Ologbonsaiye of Mechanical Engineering; and Engr. R. A. Yahya of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering.

               Student members of the team are Adedoyin Adekunle D., Mechanical Engineering (300 Level); Abdulkareem Aminat O., Mechanical Engineering (300 Level); Oluwagbemiga Olajumoke, Mechanical Engineering (300 Level); Chukwujekwe Magnify Chibundu, Mechanical Engineering (300 Level); Sarumi Abdulsomod, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (500 Level); Ibrahim Azeez Olanrewaju, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (300 Level); Ogunjimi Olumide D., Materials and Metallurgical Engineering (300 Level); Aduloju Oluwanifemi Elizabeth, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering (300 Level); Abajara Nicholas Ozovehe, Computer Engineering (300 Level); and Abdulrahman Abdullateef, Computer Engineering (400 Level).