President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate rollout of 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits nationwide as part of measures to reduce the burden of rising transportation costs on Nigerians.
The directive was disclosed on Tuesday by the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), Ismaeel Ahmed, after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Ahmed said the move was in response to concerns about the possible impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on global energy markets and the resulting pressure on fuel prices. According to him, the President is closely monitoring international developments and their potential effects on Nigeria’s transportation and energy sectors.
He explained that the government plans to deploy the conversion kits within the next two to three weeks through partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including transport unions and private sector operators. The initiative is designed to allow vehicle owners—particularly commercial transporters such as tricycle operators, taxi drivers, and bus owners—to convert their vehicles from petrol-powered engines to Compressed Natural Gas, which is widely regarded as a cheaper and cleaner alternative fuel.
Ahmed further disclosed that the President has instructed that the expansion of CNG infrastructure should focus on key transportation corridors across the country, with particular attention to routes in northern Nigeria.
He noted that about 77 CNG refueling stations are currently under construction or at different stages of development nationwide. These stations are expected to support the growing adoption of gas-powered vehicles once the conversion programme begins.
According to Ahmed, the Federal Government also plans to develop a network of refueling facilities along major highways linking Lokoja, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, and Maiduguri.
The project forms part of broader government efforts to promote gas-powered transportation in Nigeria, reduce dependence on petrol, and provide a more affordable energy option for motorists and commercial transport operators across the country.
