Move aims to cushion impact of Middle East conflict on fuel prices as government accelerates gas-powered mobility across Nigeria……
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits across Nigeria as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs and shield the economy from rising global fuel prices.
The directive follows growing concerns over the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on global oil prices and the resulting pressure on fuel costs in Nigeria.
The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed the development after a meeting with the president at the State House in Abuja.
According to Ahmed, the president has been closely monitoring global developments and their potential consequences for Nigeria’s energy market, particularly the ripple effects of the Middle East crisis on transportation and fuel prices.
He said the president has now directed the initiative to fast-track the nationwide rollout of CNG infrastructure and alternative mobility solutions.
100,000 conversion kits coming
As part of the plan, about 100,000 CNG conversion kits will be distributed nationwide to enable vehicle owners and commercial transport operators to switch their engines from petrol to natural gas.
Ahmed explained that the conversion kits would primarily target commercial drivers, tricycle operators, and transport businesses, helping them reduce fuel costs and limit dependence on petrol.
The deployment is expected to begin within the next two to three weeks.
The Pi-CNG chairman noted that converting vehicles to run on CNG could significantly cut operating expenses for drivers, particularly at a time when petrol prices have surged above ₦1,000 per litre.
Expansion of refuelling infrastructure
To support the transition, the government is simultaneously working to expand the country’s network of gas refuelling stations and related infrastructure.
Ahmed revealed that about 77 CNG refilling stations are currently at various stages of development nationwide.
He pointed to the northern city of Kano as an example, where two Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) stations are already operational, while several additional “daughter stations” are under construction.
The government also plans to build a chain of refuelling facilities along key transportation corridors.
The proposed network will stretch from Lokoja through Abuja and Kaduna to Zaria, continuing onward to Kano and eventually reaching Maiduguri.
Officials say the corridor strategy is designed to ensure that long-distance commercial vehicles can reliably access CNG refuelling points across major transport routes.
Push for local vehicle manufacturing
Beyond fuel conversion, the Pi-CNG initiative is also collaborating with local and international manufacturers to support the local assembly of gas-powered and electric vehicles.
Ahmed said several manufacturers have already expressed interest in setting up assembly plants in Nigeria, a move that could help expand the domestic automotive industry and create new employment opportunities.
According to him, the initiative is expected to stimulate investment in clean energy transportation while reducing the country’s reliance on petrol.
Rising fuel prices drive policy shift
The government’s push toward alternative fuels comes as Nigeria grapples with sharp fluctuations in petrol prices.
The surge has been partly linked to geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, which have unsettled global oil markets.
Fuel prices have climbed above ₦1,000 per litre in recent weeks, placing additional pressure on transport operators and commuters across the country.
Earlier this week, the Dangote Refinery raised the ex-gantry price of petrol to ₦1,175 per litre, up from ₦995 per litre on March 7 and ₦874 per litre on March 2.
However, the refinery later announced a price reduction on Tuesday, trimming the cost by ₦100 to ₦1,075 per litre.
Officials say the CNG programme is part of a broader strategy by the federal government to reduce the country’s dependence on petrol while promoting cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives for transportation.
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