President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to roll out 100,000 vehicle conversion kits across Nigeria, aiming to expand access to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol.
Ismael Ahmed, PiCNG’s Executive Chairman, disclosed the directive following a closed-door meeting with the President on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the discussion focused on the progress of the initiative and strategies to mitigate the impact of rising global fuel prices, particularly amid tensions in the Middle East.
“The President wanted to know what we are doing at PiCNG to scale up the availability of gas across the country. He has given a direct mandate that we should immediately deploy about 100,000 conversion kits,” Ahmed said.
The kits will allow vehicle and tricycle owners to convert engines from petrol to CNG, with deployment scheduled to begin within two to three weeks. “The conversion centres across the country will be bustling with activities as we begin large-scale vehicle conversions,” he added.
Ahmed also highlighted efforts to develop supporting infrastructure, including expanding CNG refuelling stations and electric vehicle charging points along key transport corridors. Currently, 77 refuelling stations are at various stages of development, with Kano already hosting two operational Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas stations and several satellite stations underway. Planned routes include Lokoja–Abuja, Kaduna–Zaria, and onward to Kano and Maiduguri.
The initiative is also promoting electric mobility, partnering with local and international manufacturers to encourage EV assembly in Nigeria, and collaborating with the Rural Electrification Agency to deploy solar-powered charging stations in off-grid areas.
Ahmed emphasized that the President expects rapid results from the initiative, aiming to reduce transportation costs and enhance mobility for Nigerians.
