365NEWS reports that the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic in Ilaro, Ogun State, Dr. Mukail Akinde has announced on Friday that the institution is planning to establish a mini assembly plant for the production of its newly invented electric automated tricycle.
Akinde urged the Federal Government and corporate organizations, especially within the manufacturing sector, to support the polytechnic’s efforts in commercializing the invention.
He emphasized that mass production of the electric tricycle would significantly reduce importation, ease the pressure on foreign exchange, and create job opportunities for the youth.
Akinde made these remarks during a visit to the institution’s innovation center by the Governing Council, led by Chairman Alhaji Garba Gashua, and the National Automotive Design and Development Council, to inspect the new electric tricycle.
The polytechnic is reportedly the first institution to produce this type of tricycle, which was developed and assembled at its innovation center.
The rector appealed for increased funding from the Federal Government to further support innovations, research, and development at the polytechnic.
“Our goal now is to take the tricycle into the commercial market,” Akinde said. “What you see now is just the prototype; the final design will accommodate three people—a rider and two passengers in the back. It will also feature a solar-powered panel for charging the tricycle, which has already been designed. We are looking for partners like Innoson or others to help bring this innovation to the industry for commercial production.”
“If we can’t produce this tricycle in commercial quantities, we will be forced to import them, which will increase the pressure on our exchange rate. So, we are calling for support from relevant agencies and funding for this polytechnic to enable us to do more.”
Akinde also stated, “We aim to establish a mini assembly plant capable of producing around 10 tricycles or more. I assure you that by the next academic session, we will have three of these tricycles in operation on our campus.”
In response, Alhaji Garba Gashua, Chairman of the Governing Council, expressed his pride in the polytechnic’s innovation and promised to rally support to make the project a reality.
“I am thoroughly impressed with the tricycle produced by the polytechnic. I even rode it from the innovation center to the administrative complex. I’m also pleased that most of the materials used were sourced locally. For the next model, we propose seating three people in the back and one in the front, similar to conventional tricycles,” Gashua said.
The representative from the National Automotive Centre, who inspected the tricycle alongside the council, also expressed his admiration for the innovation.
Gashua added, “We definitely need the Federal Government’s assistance for this polytechnic to expand the scope of this project. While we lack the necessary funds, we will petition the Federal Government for support.”
Mr. Ayinde Abdullahi, Director of Vehicle Electrification at the National Automotive Design and Development Council, commended the initiative and noted that the completion of various raw material companies being established by the Federal Government would greatly boost local production in the automobile industry.
Jide Soyemi, Director of the Innovation Centre, explained that the center was established three years ago to provide students with cutting-edge technology education beyond the traditional curriculum, focusing on areas like Artificial Intelligence, robotics, drone technology for agriculture, and portable inverters for small businesses.
He added that the tricycle is the latest invention from the center, with students contributing over 80% of the work.
