President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the rapid distribution of about 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits across Nigeria in a bid to reduce the burden of rising petrol costs on citizens.
The directive was revealed on Tuesday by Ismaeel Ahmed, the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), after a meeting with the President at Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
Ahmed explained that the initiative forms part of the federal government’s strategy to make transportation more affordable by enabling vehicle owners to switch from petrol-powered engines to gas-powered systems. According to him, the first batch of conversion kits will begin arriving at designated centres within the next two to three weeks.
He noted that the President has been closely monitoring global developments that could affect Nigeria’s energy costs, particularly the tensions in the Middle East which have contributed to a steady increase in petrol and diesel prices worldwide. Tinubu, he said, wanted updates on the government’s efforts to expand the availability of alternative fuels, including CNG and electric vehicle options.
Ahmed added that the President is particularly concerned about the rising cost of transportation and its impact on everyday Nigerians. As a result, the administration is accelerating plans to expand gas infrastructure and make CNG more accessible across the country.
The planned rollout will involve collaboration with various partners in the transport and energy sectors. The kits are expected to benefit commercial transport operators such as taxi drivers, bus owners, and tricycle riders, who spend a significant portion of their earnings on fuel.
According to Ahmed, once the distribution begins, conversion centres nationwide will see increased activity as more vehicle owners move to adopt the gas-powered alternative.
The move comes amid a surge in global oil market uncertainty triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict involving Iran and the allied forces of Israel and the United States. The geopolitical situation has disrupted supply expectations and pushed up fuel prices in several countries, including Nigeria.
The Nigerian government believes that expanding the use of compressed natural gas could significantly lower transportation costs, reduce reliance on petrol, and provide a more sustainable energy option for the country’s growing transport sector.
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