In a bid to redefine Nigeria’s energy narrative, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) is making headway in its mission to transition the country from petrol dependency to a more affordable, cleaner energy future. At a media parley held in Lagos on Wednesday, PCNGI leadership unveiled the strides made since its launch, while also addressing the challenges facing full-scale adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The initiative, led by Executive Chairman Barr. Ismael Ahmed and Programme Director Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, was born out of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s post-inaugural decision to remove fuel subsidy—ushering in what they call “a gas-led revolution” poised to deliver long-term relief and transform national energy consumption patterns.
Gas, Not Oil: A Paradigm Shift
“Nigeria is fundamentally a gas-rich country, not an oil one,” Engr. Oluwagbemi stated. With over 208 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves 45% of Africa’s total and unproven estimates exceeding 350 trillion cubic feet, he said the time had come to harness this vast resource to drive sustainable economic transformation.
According to Oluwagbemi, President Tinubu’s vision goes beyond subsidy removal. “He wants to be remembered not just for ending petrol subsidy, but for offering a viable, lasting alternative to Nigerians,” he said.
One Year of Impact: PCNGI’s Achievements
In just 12 months, the PCNGI has:
- Increased CNG conversion centres from 7 to over 300 nationwide.
- Expanded coverage from 5 to 20 states across all six geopolitical zones.
- Deployed 5,950 CNG or electric vehicles, including buses and tricycles, many via labour unions.
- Trained 5,500 technicians, with 25,000 roadside mechanics in line for upskilling.
- Attracted $980 million in private sector investment, including a ₦725 billion commitment from Dangote Industries.
- Partnered with local automakers such as Innoson, Peugeot, and Nord Motors to promote local production.
Oluwagbemi also shared a human story a Lagos-based Uber driver who now earns significantly more after converting to CNG, demonstrating real-life impact. “Our goal is to convert 1 million vehicles by 2027, which will generate **75,000 direct and 300,000 indirect jobs,” he added.
The 3 As: Acceptability, Accessibility, Affordability
Despite the progress, the team acknowledged that relief from the CNG switch hasn’t matched the immediate financial strain caused by fuel subsidy removal. Oluwagbemi outlined the key hurdles still facing adoption:
- Acceptability: Many Nigerians are wary of CNG safety, even though data shows it’s safer than petrol or diesel.
- Accessibility: Filling stations remain limited, affecting convenience.
- Affordability: Conversion kits remain costly despite subsidies and waiver incentives.
To counter these, PCNGI is working with regulators on a Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System to enforce safety standards and promote confidence. Plans are also underway to develop CNG industrial parks to enhance domestic production and address procurement delays.
The initiative is also fighting “deliberate disinformation campaigns” intended to undermine progress for political or economic reasons.
The Media’s Role: Partnership for Progress
The leadership made a passionate appeal to media executives to practice “patriotic journalism”—helping to inform the public accurately, correct misconceptions, and hold all stakeholders accountable, especially on domestic gas supply obligations.
Ahmed clarified that the government’s role is to facilitate, not control, stressing that PCNGI acts as a catalyst, not a competitor to the private sector. Importantly, the Federal Government is offering VAT and import duty waivers for CNG vehicles and components, making them even more attractive than their petrol-powered counterparts.
“This programme is not about government building stations,” said Ahmed. “It’s about enabling a private-sector driven transition, backed by the right policies and incentives.”
Leading by Example
All PCNGI official vehicles, the team confirmed, are now powered by CNG, and President Tinubu’s own official vehicle is currently undergoing conversion a symbolic and strategic endorsement of the initiative’s importance.
The PCNGI paints a picture of a transitional energy policy rooted in realism, data, and sustainability. But as Oluwagbemi acknowledged, success hinges on more than government policy it requires trust, investment, and public buy-in.
“We’ve begun a journey that will outlive this administration,” he said. “But with the right support, Nigeria can truly move from subsidy to sustainability.”
