By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
Every time a motorist pulls into a petrol station, the cost of keeping a vehicle on the road is a reminder of the growing burden of transportation in Nigeria. With fuel expenses weighing heavily on private car owners, commercial drivers and businesses, the Federal Government is looking to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper alternative, setting an ambitious target of providing one million CNG-powered vehicles nationwide.
This ambitious plan is part of efforts to ease transportation costs, deepen the use of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources and provide motorists with a more affordable alternative to petrol.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, recently directed the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) and the Decade of Gas Secretariat to intensify efforts towards achieving the target.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving progress reports from both bodies, Ekpo called for increased investment, expanded refuelling infrastructure and faster vehicle conversion programmes to accelerate nationwide adoption.
He stressed that the government’s Auto CNG policy must translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians, particularly through reduced transport fares. The push comes amid the economic pressures that followed the removal of petrol subsidies, which heightened the cost of transportation and increased the burden on households, commuters and businesses.
For motorists, CNG offers the prospect of lower fuel expenses. For commercial transport operators, wider adoption could help reduce operating costs, potentially easing the pressure to increase fares. However, these benefits will depend on the availability of refuelling stations, affordable vehicle conversions and a reliable supply of gas.
Ekpo said Nigeria’s substantial gas reserves presented an opportunity to strengthen domestic energy consumption while stimulating economic growth. He noted that the country’s domestic gas supply had exceeded two billion cubic feet daily for the first time in its history.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the initiative, describing cheaper transportation through CNG as a presidential priority. According to him, the government would continue supporting the programme to ensure it achieves its objectives.
Pi-CNG & EV Chairman. Ismaeel Ahmed said the initiative would intensify efforts to attract investment, expand CNG infrastructure and increase the number of vehicles converted to run on the fuel.
According to him, these measures would support wider adoption and help reduce transportation costs for millions of Nigerians. He also highlighted a joint industry market study by the Decade of Gas Secretariat, describing it as a framework for accelerating implementation, monitoring progress and identifying gaps that could hinder the programme.
The Coordinator of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Ed Ubong, similarly described CNG as a key component of Nigeria’s energy transition, assuring the initiative of continued support for greater domestic gas utilisation and exports.
However, achieving the one-million-vehicle target will require more than policy directives. The expansion of refuelling stations, the availability of conversion centres, public awareness and investor confidence will be critical to moving CNG from a government-backed initiative to a practical choice for everyday motorists.
Safety will also remain essential. Properly installed and maintained gas systems, certified conversion facilities and trained technicians are necessary to protect drivers and passengers while building public confidence in the technology.
For commercial operators, fleet owners and private motorists, the decision to switch will ultimately depend on whether the savings justify the initial conversion costs and whether refuelling facilities are accessible along their regular routes.
The environmental argument also strengthens the case for CNG. Compared with petrol and diesel, natural gas generally produces lower tailpipe emissions of certain pollutants, although its overall climate benefits depend on methane leakage across the supply chain.
Looking ahead, the Federal Government’s ambition to put one million CNG-powered vehicles on Nigerian roads represents a significant test of the country’s ability to turn its natural gas wealth into everyday economic benefits.
If supported by dependable infrastructure, effective regulation and sustained investment, the initiative could offer motorists some relief from rising fuel expenses while encouraging a broader shift towards alternative energy in the transport sector.
For Nigerians, however, the real measure of success will not simply be the number of vehicles converted, but whether the transition delivers more affordable journeys, lower operating costs and a transport system that works better for everyone.