In a strategic move to reduce fuel costs and provide Nigerians with an affordable alternative to petrol and diesel, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) available for vehicles at N230 per litre.
This initiative offers a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol, which currently sells for over N900 per litre, reflecting the President’s commitment to lowering the cost of living and alleviating the pressures of fuel subsidy removal.
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), launched under President Tinubu’s directive, aims to deliver wide-reaching benefits by significantly cutting fuel costs.
The introduction of CNG as a fuel source aligns with the government’s drive towards energy diversification and is designed to bring immediate relief to Nigerians, especially those who depend on transport for their livelihoods.
As part of this initiative, President Tinubu has ordered the distribution of one million free CNG conversion kits to commercial vehicles involved in transporting people, food, and goods.
These kits, along with free installation, will be rolled out over the next 18 months, helping the transport sector transition to CNG and benefit from significantly lower fuel prices. The distribution of these kits will be conducted in collaboration with key partners, ensuring nationwide accessibility.
In the first phase of the initiative, PCNGi will begin the immediate distribution of 10,000 free conversion kits this week.
These kits will be provided at no cost to transport operators through key national transport associations, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Moove, Uber, and the Kaduna State Transport Authority (KSTA).
This will enable commercial drivers to switch their vehicles to run on CNG, easing the cost burdens for both transporters and the public.
The distribution process is supported by PCNGi in partnership with NIPCO Gas, which will manage the conversion process through a network of authorized conversion centers across Nigeria. These centers will provide the necessary infrastructure and services to ensure a smooth transition for vehicles switching to CNG.
By adopting CNG, Nigeria is embracing a cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable fuel alternative that benefits both the economy and the environment. The government’s goal is to distribute the full one million conversion kits by the end of 2025, ensuring Nigeria’s commercial transport sector is fully equipped to adopt CNG and reduce dependence on costly petrol and diesel.
Some of the 184 active conversion centers include Kojo Motors, Surulere; OttoXpress Limited, Ikoyi; AutoMedics Limited, Ilupeju; Briscoe Nigeria Plc, Rivers; Rolling Energy Limited, Kwara State; Nsik Oil and Gas Company, Akwa Ibom; NITT, Gombe; NITT, Ekiti; NIPCO Gas, Ibafo; NIPCO Gas Ltd, Abuja; NIPCO Gas, Sapele; and BOVAS in Idimu-Ikotun, Lagos, among many others.