Kano entrepreneur builds electric tricycles, showcases Nigeria’s untapped talent

Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources, but even more importantly, with talented and creative people who continue to break barriers despite limited opportunities.

One shining example is Hajiya Rukayya Khalid, a Kano-based entrepreneur who is fabricating electric tricycles from locally sourced materials in a bold effort to cut transport costs and reduce pollution.

In an exclusive interview with SolaceBase, Rukayya, the founder of Prestige Tricycle Nigeria Limited, said her journey into innovation was inspired by her passion for self-reliance and creativity.

“I have a passion for it. My whole life, I never really wanted to do the usual kind of businesswoman are known for. I like producing things myself,” she explained.

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Before venturing into tricycles, Rukayya was deeply involved in fertilizer production, focusing on liquid fertilizers. However, when the market slowed down, she decided to pursue a dream she had held on to for years, building electric tricycles.

“I once saw a picture of a beautiful electric tricycle and told my children I would build it one day. They believed me because they know that whatever I say, I will do. That was about five years ago, and today, we have started producing them,” she said.

So far, her company has produced about 12 prototypes, all fully electric. More recently, she developed a new model which she described as unique and different from anything currently on Nigerian roads.

 

According to her, the new tricycles stand out for their innovative engines, making them more durable, affordable, and easier to maintain than conventional options.

“Even though I didn’t go to university, Allah gave me the knowledge and inspiration to do this,” Rukayya noted, attributing her success to determination and divine guidance.

Rukayya’s story highlights the immense pool of talent across Nigeria, young men and women who, with the right support, can build solutions that compete globally.

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Nigeria is home to countless innovators, artisans, and entrepreneurs who continue to show that the country’s greatest resource is not just oil or minerals, but its people. From tech startups in Lagos to agriculture innovations in Kano and now electric tricycles fabricated locally, Nigerians are proving that creativity thrives even in challenging environments.

“What I advise young people is that anything they feel they can do, they should not let anybody hold them back. They should put it into practice and face challenges without depending on others,” she advised.

Hajiya Rukayya further urged the government and stakeholders to support local innovators so that their efforts can translate into national growth.

“In other countries, when they see someone doing something that can help their community or country, they support them. That is why they progress. We need the same here,” she emphasized.

Her innovation is not just about tricycles; it is a reminder that with the right investment in people, Nigeria can harness its wealth of talent to transform the economy and create homegrown solutions for its challenges.