The federal government has announced an ambitious plan to convert 100,000 cars from traditional petrol or diesel fuel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by the end of this year.
The aim, according to Mr. Micheal Oluwagbemi, the Programme Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential CNG initiative, is to have 1 million cars running on CNG by 2027.
This was revealed during a meeting with stakeholders at Bovas service station in Ajibode, Ibadan.
Oluwagbemi outlined plans for a conversion incentive program set to roll out soon, where vehicle owners can convert their cars to CNG at discounted rates through designated affiliates.
He also mentioned the government’s commitment to introducing over 11,500 CNG-powered vehicles into the transportation sector, with a focus on mass transit and commercial operators.
Despite the ambitious targets, Oluwagbemi expressed confidence in achieving them and encouraged Nigerians to embrace CNG as a cheaper, safer, and cleaner alternative fuel.
He detailed plans for establishing conversion workshops, refueling stations, mini-CNG stations, and attracting significant investment to support the initiative.
Additionally, there are plans to establish conversion and training centers on university campuses, starting with the University of Abuja.
Mr. Adetoyi Adeyinka from the Standard Organisation of Nigeria assured stakeholders that CNG kits undergo rigorous standardization tests to ensure safety.
Mr. Samson Temitope, the Executive Director of BOVAS, emphasized the cost-saving benefits of CNG-powered cars, noting that despite the initial conversion cost of around N500,000, the long-term savings on fuel could exceed 60%. He also mentioned flexible payment options for conversion.
Stakeholders at the meeting advocated for the involvement of students in tertiary institutions to develop skills for producing CNG kits locally, reducing dependence on imports.
The initiative aims to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation while reducing the nation’s reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
