President Bola Tinubu has ordered the swift nationwide deployment of approximately 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits to help ease the burden of skyrocketing petrol prices on Nigerian commuters and businesses.
The directive comes in response to the sharp rise in fuel costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, which has disrupted global oil supplies and driven crude prices higher.
Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), Ismaeel Ahmed, announced the president’s directive after a meeting with Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ahmed explained that President Tinubu is closely tracking international developments and their direct effects on Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly how the Middle East crisis has pushed fuel prices beyond N1,000 per litre in many areas, inflating transportation costs significantly.
“The president has given a direct mandate that we should immediately deploy about 100,000 conversion kits,” Ahmed stated. He added that the rollout is set to commence within the next two to three weeks, allowing vehicle owners—including tricycle (keke) operators—to convert their petrol engines to run on cheaper and cleaner CNG.
The initiative aims to accelerate the expansion of CNG infrastructure, including refuelling stations and supporting facilities for alternative mobility options like electric vehicles. Ahmed noted that around 77 CNG refilling stations are currently under various stages of development across the country.
He highlighted progress in key areas, such as Kano, where two Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) stations are already operational, with additional “daughter stations” under construction.
The government plans to establish a network of refuelling points along major highways, including the corridor from Lokoja through Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano up to Maiduguri.
The Pi-CNG is collaborating with local and international manufacturers to facilitate vehicle conversions and promote the local assembly of CNG-powered and electric vehicles. Several companies have expressed interest in setting up assembly lines in Nigeria, a move expected to create jobs and bolster the domestic automotive sector.
The announcement follows recent volatility in fuel pricing, with Dangote Refinery adjusting its gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) multiple times in early March 2026—peaking at N1,175 per litre before a reduction to N1,075 per litre—amid global crude surges linked to the conflict.
This proactive step by the Tinubu administration is seen as a practical effort to cushion the immediate impact of external shocks on everyday Nigerians, promote cleaner energy alternatives, and reduce long-term dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
The Pi-CNG initiative continues to align with broader goals of affordable transportation, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience in the face of global uncertainties. See More