Nigeria’s transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a viable alternative fuel source is gaining significant momentum, as the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) records major strides in infrastructure development, private sector investment, and job creation.
According to the PCNGI, the number of vehicles running on CNG has already surpassed 50,000, with projections indicating a rise to 100,000 in the coming months.
This growth is supported by the rollout of over 175 refueling stations nationwide, spearheaded by multiple private and public sector partners.
The sector has attracted more than $500 million in investments, generating over 10,000 direct jobs.
Notably, 255 new CNG conversion centres, nonexistent just a year ago, have been established, along with 53 “daughter stations” that serve remote and underserved areas.
The speed and scope of implementation are being hailed as a reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “incredible vision” for a cleaner and more energy-efficient Nigeria.
The initiative is also expanding into academia, with CNG ecosystems currently being developed in 20 Nigerian universities.
This week, Greenville LNG is ramping up operations in Yola, as part of its aggressive rollout of LCNG (Liquefied to Compressed Natural Gas) stations in 51 locations across northern and southeastern Nigeria, including hard-to-reach areas.
In addition to Greenville and Femadec, the PCNGI is backing partners to launch 24 new sites within the next six to nine months.
One site in Ilorin is already operational, while other locations including Port Harcourt, Ado-Ekiti, Lokoja, Abuja, Aba, and Enugu are expected to go live within the next 60 to 120 days.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is also playing a significant role, adding eight new CNG stations to its existing network of 12. Furthermore, work is ongoing on 40 additional stations as part of Phase 2 of its rollout plan, which will eventually total 100 new stations.
Other private players are also contributing to the surge. Bovas is set to launch two ultra-modern CNG stations in Ibadan, part of its eight-station expansion plan. NIPCO is finalizing eight more sites to add to its 23 operational stations across the country.
In a further boost to the industry, the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) recently awarded equity investments to ten new entrants, three of which are focused on building CNG stations.
With these developments, Nigeria is firmly on track to build a robust and accessible CNG infrastructure that not only supports energy diversification but also drives economic growth and sustainability.
