The Federal Government has announced plans to establish at least 150 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across Nigeria before the end of 2025, as part of its drive to deepen the country’s gas utilization.
Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential CNG Initiative, disclosed this on Thursday during the groundbreaking ceremony of five mini-LNG plants in Kogi State, led by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
According to him, the Presidential CNG Initiative aims to attract millions of dollars in investment in 2025 to accelerate the transition to cleaner, more affordable fuel options.
Bridging the Gas Access Gap
Oluwagbemi acknowledged gas access challenges in the northeast and northwest regions, expressing optimism that the mini LNG plants under construction in Kogi would bridge the supply gap while awaiting the completion of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline.
He also revealed that President Bola Tinubu has directed the conversion of one million vehicles to CNG by 2027.
“Our goal, as set by the President, is to ensure that we have one million vehicles running on CNG by 2027. Already, we have made significant progress towards achieving this objective,” he stated.
“In just one year, we elevated Nigeria’s gas compression capacity by over 2,500%, increasing the number of conversion centres from just 7 in 2023 to over 193 by December 31, 2024,” he added.
Increased Investments in CNG Infrastructure
Oluwagbemi also highlighted the financial commitment towards Nigeria’s gas expansion, revealing that the initiative attracted $470 million in investments in 2024, with expectations to double that figure in 2025.
“We expect to reach at least 500 conversion centres and over 150 CNG retail outlets by the end of this year,” he stated.
Challenges in CNG Adoption
Currently, Nigeria has about 50 CNG refuelling stations serving over 200 million people, which has slowed public adoption due to concerns over refueling accessibility.
Petrol station owners have called on the Federal Government to provide financial support for the installation of CNG facilities at their outlets, to fast-track adoption and expand accessibility.
Boosting Nigeria’s Energy Security
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, described Nigeria’s expanding LNG infrastructure as a game-changer for the energy sector.
He emphasized that beyond enhancing domestic energy security, it also positions Nigeria as a major player in the global LNG market.
With these initiatives, Nigeria is making bold strides towards energy diversification, economic growth, and cleaner fuel adoption, reducing dependence on petrol and diesel while embracing natural gas as a viable alternative.
