President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate nationwide deployment of about 100,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion kits as part of measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on Nigerians.
The directive comes amid growing global oil market volatility caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The announcement was made by Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), after a meeting with the President at the State House Abuja on Tuesday, March 10.
Ahmed explained that the directive forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reduce transportation costs for citizens and accelerate the adoption of alternative energy sources in Nigeria.
According to Ahmed, the President is closely monitoring developments in the global energy market and their potential impact on Nigeria’s economy, especially the rising cost of petrol and diesel.
“The President, as usual, is always trying to get information on what is going on, especially with the war in the Middle East and the rising cost of petrol and diesel,” Ahmed said.
He noted that the President asked for updates on the progress being made by the Pi-CNG initiative and other programs aimed at expanding access to compressed natural gas and electric mobility solutions.
“He wanted to know what we are doing at Pi-CNG and EV to scale up the availability of gas and CNG everywhere in the country so that people would have less cost of transportation,” Ahmed explained.
Ahmed confirmed that approximately 100,000 CNG conversion kits will be deployed across Nigeria within the next two to three weeks.
These kits will allow vehicle owners—including commercial drivers and tricycle operators—to convert their petrol-powered engines to run on compressed natural gas, which is significantly cheaper than petrol.
“So we have about 100,000 kits that we’re going to deploy in the next two to three weeks. The conversion centres will all be bustling with a lot of activities,” Ahmed said.
The government believes the move will help reduce transportation costs for millions of Nigerians who rely on road transport daily.
In addition to the conversion kits, President Tinubu has also directed a rapid expansion of infrastructure needed to support both compressed natural gas vehicles and electric vehicles.
Ahmed stated that the government is prioritizing the development of CNG refuelling stations and electric vehicle charging points across the country, with particular attention to major transportation routes.
“We must be able to fast-track the infrastructure in bringing gas, CNG and electric mobility charging infrastructure to every part of the country, especially within the Northern Corridor,” he said.
According to him, the government is currently developing 77 CNG refuelling stations nationwide to support the transition to gas-powered transportation.
Ahmed also disclosed that several stations are already operational in parts of the country.
In Kano, two liquefied compressed natural gas (LCNG) stations are already functioning, while additional “daughter stations” are under construction.
The Federal Government is also planning a network of refuelling facilities along major transport routes stretching across northern Nigeria.
The proposed corridor will include cities such as Lokoja, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano and Maiduguri.
“These are all places that we are going to litter with a lot of refuelling units,” Ahmed stated.
Ahmed further revealed that the Pi-CNG initiative is working with both local and international manufacturers to promote the adoption of CNG-powered vehicles and electric vehicles in Nigeria.
According to him, several manufacturers have already shown interest in establishing vehicle assembly plants in Nigeria, which could significantly boost the local automotive industry.
The planned partnerships are expected to increase the availability of vehicles designed specifically to run on compressed natural gas while also creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Industry analysts believe the move could help strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and reduce dependence on imported vehicles.
Ahmed also disclosed that Pi-CNG is collaborating with the Rural Electrification Agency to build solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations, especially in off-grid and rural areas.
“People are already bringing in their electric vehicles regardless,” he said.
“What we have to do now is to ensure that there is enough infrastructure for them to work with, especially off-grid.”
According to Ahmed, President Tinubu expects the initiative to deliver quick and tangible results that will make transportation cheaper, cleaner, and more sustainable for Nigerians.
The government sees compressed natural gas and electric vehicles as key components of Nigeria’s long-term strategy to transition toward more environmentally friendly energy sources while also reducing the economic burden of high fuel prices.
With the planned deployment of 100,000 conversion kits and the expansion of refuelling infrastructure nationwide, the Federal Government hopes to accelerate the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles and ease the financial pressure on commuters and transport operators across the country.
