As fuel prices in Nigeria climb above ₦1,000 per litre amid tensions involving Iran and the United States/Israel, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the nationwide deployment of about 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits.
The announcement was made by Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), following a meeting with the president at the State House Abuja.
Ahmed explained that the president is closely monitoring global developments and their impact on Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly how the Middle East conflict is driving up fuel prices and transportation costs.
According to him, the president has instructed the Pi-CNG programme to speed up the expansion of CNG infrastructure and alternative mobility solutions across the country.
He said the conversion kits will enable vehicle owners and tricycle operators to switch their engines from petrol to compressed natural gas, with distribution expected to begin within the next two to three weeks.
Ahmed also noted that the government is developing a network of refuelling stations and charging facilities to support gas-powered and electric vehicles. Currently, about 77 CNG refilling stations are at different stages of development nationwide.
He pointed to Kano as an example, where two Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) stations are already operational, while additional “daughter stations” are being constructed.
The government further plans to establish a chain of refuelling points along key transport corridors stretching from Lokoja through Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano, up to Maiduguri.
Ahmed added that the Pi-CNG initiative is collaborating with both local and international manufacturers to support vehicle conversions and the local assembly of CNG-powered and electric vehicles. Several manufacturers, he said, have already expressed interest in establishing assembly lines in Nigeria, a move expected to create jobs and strengthen the country’s automotive sector.
The directive comes as rising global tensions continue to push fuel prices upward in Nigeria.
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