The Nigerian government announced on Wednesday that more than 100,000 vehicles across the country have been converted from petrol to compressed natural gas (CNG) or bi-fuel under the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), underscoring a major national shift towards affordable and cleaner energy sources.
The initiative, spearheaded by Project Director and CEO Michael Oluwagbemi, aims to reduce dependency on costly and polluting petrol. According to a statement from the presidency, the conversion efforts are supported by an expanding network of CNG conversion centers, with new locations being established to meet growing demand nationwide.
In a further show of commitment to sustainable energy, the presidency has issued a directive mandating that all government vehicles purchased in the future must be equipped to use CNG, signifying an official policy shift toward environmentally friendly transportation options.
“This transition to CNG is a critical step in making cleaner and more affordable fuel options accessible to everyday Nigerians while also reducing harmful emissions,” said Oluwagbemi. The PCNGI has been positioned as part of the government’s wider strategy to enhance energy security and offer economic relief amid volatile petrol prices.
With the Presidential CNG Initiative now at the forefront of Nigeria’s energy strategy, the government plans to make further investments to scale up CNG infrastructure, including refueling stations and conversion facilities. The goal is to make CNG accessible to millions of Nigerians in alignment with the national objective of reducing the carbon footprint and embracing a more sustainable energy future.