RismadarVoice Reporters, September 1, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the use of Compressed Natural Gas as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to conventional transport fuels.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the expansion of CNG infrastructure was aimed at reducing transportation costs and easing the impact of rising living expenses on Nigerians.
Ekpo said the Presidential CNG Initiative, launched in 2023, had so far attracted more than $1 billion in investments across the CNG value chain.
According to him, the investment has supported the development of refuelling stations, vehicle conversion centres, technical training and other infrastructure needed to drive nationwide adoption.
He disclosed that more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted to CNG through over 400 certified conversion centres, while more than 90 CNG refuelling stations are currently operational.
The minister added that the programme had trained over 7,700 automotive technicians, created more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, and facilitated the procurement and deployment of 655 CNG buses and 5,123 CNG-powered tricycles.
Ekpo said the growing number of vehicles operating on CNG demonstrated that the fuel had moved beyond being a future alternative and was increasingly becoming a viable option for Nigeria’s transport sector.
He noted that commercial transport operators, private vehicle owners and fleet managers were reporting fuel-cost savings, while commuters using CNG-powered buses were also benefiting from lower fares.
The minister said the government’s objective was not merely to increase the number of CNG vehicles and refuelling stations but to ensure that lower fuel costs translated into reduced transportation and logistics expenses.
According to him, the savings would help ease the cost of living while improving productivity for businesses, farmers, traders and other economic actors.
To sustain the expansion, the ministry is working with the Presidential CNG Initiative, the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, state governments, transport unions, operators, investors and other stakeholders to develop additional refuelling and conversion facilities.
The collaboration will also support the establishment of dedicated CNG corridors and extend access to underserved communities across the country.
Ekpo commended President Bola Tinubu for approving an additional 500 CNG refuelling stations, which he said would bring the planned national network to 1,000 stations.
He said the expansion would improve access to CNG and accelerate the transition to the alternative fuel nationwide.
The minister also commended state governors who had embraced the programme through investments and partnerships, urging other states yet to participate to key into the initiative for the benefit of residents and commuters.
Ekpo assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue working with investors and industry stakeholders to accelerate infrastructure development, deepen domestic gas utilisation and ensure that the benefits of the CNG programme reach communities across the country.
