By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, has unveiled an indigenous electric vehicle, named OKIN EV1.
The invention, the institution’s Director of the Directorate of Assembly, Fabrication, and Commercialization of Research Products, Dr. Olufemi O. Kehinde, said, signalled a bold step forward in the country’s quest for sustainable mobility.
Kehinde, who spoke through the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olayinka Iroye, noted that the vehicle also showcased the ingenuity of homegrown research and engineering.
“This is proof that Nigeria has the capacity to lead in innovative solutions to global challenges,” the statement added.
The OKIN EV1 is not just another automobile; it is a symbol of what Nigerian institutions can achieve when knowledge meets creativity, the school added.
Iroye said: “The Polytechnic has already announced plans to refine the prototype and explore avenues for mass production, which could place affordable, eco-friendly vehicles in the hands of everyday Nigerians.
“Powered fully by electricity and complemented with a solar-energy feature, the vehicle is capable of covering an impressive 125 kilometres on a single charge, the equivalent of a round trip from Offa to Ilorin.
“The EV is equipped with modern features that meet today’s demands: touchscreen display for real-time monitoring and control.
“(It has a) Reverse camera for enhanced safety and convenience, and a solar-powered extension system to prolong driving hours.
“These features place the OKIN EV1 in the league of practical, eco-friendly vehicles designed to address both urban and rural mobility needs.
“The journey of the OKIN EV1 began in 2024 and was completed in less than six months. Despite challenges in sourcing materials locally, the development team’s determination paid off, producing what many have called a game changer for Nigeria’s transport industry.
“This ground-breaking feat would not have been possible without the vision and support of the Polytechnic’s Rector, Engr. Dr. Kamoru Oluwatoyin Kadiri, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE). His unwavering encouragement, passion for research, and commitment to providing an enabling environment for innovation have inspired the institution’s scholars and inventors to reach this remarkable milestone.
“With the unveiling of the OKIN EV1, the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, has set the stage for a future where locally made technologies can compete globally.
“The feat is not only a victory for the institution but also a shining example for Nigeria’s academic and industrial communities.”