Segun Atanda/
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) today unveiled an ambitious roadmap to drive Nigeria’s energy transition and cut transportation costs by up to 90%, as top officials engaged media executives in Lagos to deepen public understanding of the initiative.
Speaking at the Sheraton Hotel, Executive Chairman of the PCNGI Steering Committee, Barr. Ismael Ahmed, and Program Director, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, outlined how the government’s flagship program, launched in 2023, is accelerating the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles across the country, especially in mass transit.
“Nigeria is not just an oil-rich nation; it is fundamentally a gas country, sitting on 45% of Africa’s proven gas reserves with over 208 trillion cubic feet in resources, enough to last 99 years,” Ahmed said, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s vision extends beyond fuel subsidy removal to providing sustainable alternatives that deliver real economic relief.
Oluwagbemi presented compelling data on the initiative’s rapid progress within just 12 months:
Establishment of 300 new CNG conversion centers, up from just 7 previously.
Expansion from 5 to 20 states, covering all six geopolitical zones.
Deployment of 5,950 CNG/EV platforms, including buses and tricycles, largely through labor union agreements.
Training of 5,500 CNG technicians, with plans to upskill 25,000 roadside mechanics.
Mobilization of $980 million in private investment, including N725 million from Dangote Industries.
Partnerships with Nigerian auto manufacturers such as Innoson, Peugeot, and Nord Motors to boost local production.
He emphasized the PCNGI’s focus on “Acceptability, Accessibility, and Affordability,” noting that CNG is safer, cleaner, and far more cost-efficient than petrol, with the potential to slash transportation expenses by up to 90%.
Oluwagbemi cited the example of an Uber driver whose daily earnings surged after switching to CNG, calling it “proof that the initiative is already improving lives.”
The PCNGI aims to convert one million vehicles by 2027, a move projected to create 75,000 direct and 300,000 indirect jobs while driving environmental sustainability and energy security.
The session ended with a robust Q&A session, as media executives pledged support in amplifying awareness of the government’s gas revolution.
“President Tinubu does not just want to be remembered for removing subsidy,” Ahmed said, “but for replacing it with a sustainable, affordable alternative that works for every Nigerian.”
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