Tinubu directed the launch of 100,000 CNG conversion kits to ease transportation costs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the rapid rollout of 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits across Nigeria in the next two to three weeks as part of efforts to reduce the burden of rising fuel prices on the public.

The directive was revealed on Tuesday by Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), after a meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Ahmed explained that the move was influenced by the rise in global petroleum prices triggered by tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, which have pushed up petrol and diesel prices and, in turn, transportation costs for Nigerians.

“The president, as usual, always tries to get information about what is happening, especially regarding the war in the Middle East and the increase in gasoline and diesel prices.

“The President wants to know what we are doing with Pi-CNG and EVs to increase the availability of gas and CNG anywhere in the country so that people’s transportation costs can be lower,” said Ahmed.

According to him, the President has instructed the initiative to immediately resume large-scale distribution of conversion kits that allow vehicles to use natural gas as an alternative to gasoline and diesel.

“So the President has given a direct mandate for us to immediately deploy around 100,000 kits.

“We are working with so many other stakeholders who will provide incentives and immediately market it and can convert many vehicles and trishaws so that people can access gas,” said the Pi-CNG boss.

Ahmed said the rollout is expected to begin in two to three weeks, and added that vehicle conversion centers across the country will soon be busy with installation activities.

He revealed that the broader program also includes the introduction of vehicles and rickshaws equipped with dual-fuel CNG systems and electric mobility technology.

Tinubu also instructed initiatives to accelerate the development of supporting infrastructure such as fuel stations and electric vehicle charging points nationwide, with special attention to the northern transport route.

“He also gave directions that we must be able to accelerate infrastructure in providing gas and CNG filling infrastructure as well as electric mobility to all regions of the country, especially in the Northern Corridor, so that many people can access it,” said Ahmed.

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He revealed that 77 recharging stations are currently under construction or at different stages of development across Nigeria, with significant activity already underway in Kano.

“In Kano currently, we have about two LCNG stations and about five, six subsidiary stations that will also be built,” he said.

Ahmed added that the infrastructure expansion plan would stretch across the main northern transport route connecting several cities.

“Along the corridor, from Lokoja to Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, all the way to Maiduguri, these are all places where we will litter with lots of refueling units. So this is something we are looking forward to,” he said.

He stressed that the President is keen to see rapid progress so that Nigerians can soon benefit from cheaper transport options.

“The President wants results to be achieved as quickly as possible so that Nigerians can access CNG and electric mobility,” Ahmed said.

On the issue of domestic production, Ahmed said the program works with local manufacturers and also involves international companies interested in establishing assembly facilities in Nigeria.

“Of course, that’s where we deal with partnerships with a lot of local manufacturers, and even international manufacturers looking to set up assembly lines in Nigeria.

“That’s the goal, because this is about job creation, this is about availability,” he said.

He also revealed that this initiative is working with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to deploy solar-powered charging infrastructure nationwide.

“We partnered with REA, which is the Rural Electrification Agency, to be able to supply solar power where we can set up charging stations throughout the region,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed noted that electric vehicles are already being imported into Nigeria by individuals and government efforts are focused on ensuring there is infrastructure to support their use.

“Nigerians have started to buy electric vehicles.

“What you have to do for them now is make sure that there is enough infrastructure for them to handle this, especially off-grid,” Ahmed said.

The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas was launched by Tinubu in 2023 as part of broader measures following the removal of fuel subsidies to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel while lowering transportation costs.

Through this program, the government aims to convert at least one million vehicles to CNG and build a national network of fuel stations to make alternative fuels widely accessible.

CNG is much cheaper than petrol, with the price of one liter equivalent to 60 to 70 percent cheaper than premium motorbikes.