Regardless of the Federal Authorities’s rising push to transition Nigeria’s public transport sector to Compressed Pure Gasoline (CNG) as a cleaner and less expensive different to petrol and diesel, precise adoption within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, stays disappointingly low.
This sluggish uptake starkly contrasts with the federal government’s optimistic narrative that touts CNG as a silver bullet for decreasing transportation prices and curbing environmental degradation.
On the bottom, nevertheless, business drivers, transport union leaders, civil society actors, and power consultants cite deep-rooted skepticism, regulatory and coverage bottlenecks, and a dire lack of supporting infrastructure as main obstacles to implementation.
Nairametrics experiences that FG has invested over $450 million within the improvement of Nigeria’s Compressed Pure Gasoline (CNG) worth chain since 2023.
Coverage push meets sensible obstacles
The Federal Authorities has taken bold steps, together with launching the Presidential Compressed Pure Gasoline Initiative (PCNGi), which guarantees the deployment of 11,500 CNG-powered buses nationwide and affords incentives for car conversion. The initiative is central to the post-subsidy transportation technique, aiming to scale back working prices whereas reducing carbon emissions.
But, in Abuja—one of the strategic city centres for any pilot—the response has been underwhelming.
“We’ve heard all of it earlier than,” mentioned Lawal Usman, a taxi driver working in Wuse. “First it was subsidy removing, then electrical vehicles. Now it’s CNG. However how do I convert my automobile? The place are the stations?”
His issues mirror these of union leaders within the Federal Capital Territory. In line with the Abuja chapter of the Nationwide Union of Street Transport Staff (NURTW), a number of challenges—starting from restricted public consciousness to the excessive price of auto conversion and poor entry to refuelling stations—are stalling progress.
A significant stumbling block for the CNG initiative is the absence of refuelling infrastructure. Presently, Abuja has only some functioning CNG stations, most of that are positioned in industrial areas, far faraway from commuter or transport hubs.
“It’s one factor to say CNG is cheaper,” mentioned Oluchi Nwankwo, a civil society advocate for sustainable mobility. “But when the infrastructure isn’t there, folks gained’t undertake it. Comfort issues, particularly for drivers already below strain.”
Including to the issue is the prohibitive price of auto conversion, which ranges between N300,000 and N600,000—with out clear government-backed subsidies or financing schemes.
FG’s response: “It’s a marathon, not a dash”
A senior official on the Federal Ministry of Transportation who spoke to Nairametrics on situation of anonymity admitted that the rollout has been slower than anticipated.
“We perceive the issues, however CNG adoption is a marathon, not a dash,” the official mentioned.
“We’re conscious the PCNGi is working to increase entry to conversion kits, enhance public consciousness, and encourage native manufacturing of elements to drive down prices.”
According to this, the PCNGi has begun distributing conversion kits to pick transport firms and is partnering with NIPCO and different downstream entrepreneurs to increase CNG station networks.
Business and Technical Consultants Sound Warning
In line with Engr. Hassan Saidu, the fast previous Nationwide Chairman of the Nigeria Establishment of Freeway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE), whereas the Compressed Pure Gasoline (CNG) initiative holds immense promise, it should be supported by stringent regulation and a complete transport security framework.
“For any new system, there should be requirements—particularly worldwide ones,” he said in an interview with our reporter. “The query is: Do our regulatory authorities have the capability to handle and implement CNG conversion requirements?”
Engr. Saidu emphasised that street security goes past the situation of automobiles. It additionally entails the psychological and bodily health of drivers, street infrastructure, adherence to security protocols, and environment friendly post-crash response programs.
“Who’re the folks working these CNG automobiles? Have they got the fitting coaching, age, expertise, and psychological capability to soundly function them? Security isn’t nearly automobiles. It consists of street circumstances, the synergy of street design corresponding to curves and bends, acceptable pace limits, and most significantly, post-crash care. How briskly can emergency providers reply within the occasion of an accident?” he queried.
He recognized 5 cardinal ideas crucial for efficient transport security: skilled drivers, street synergy, acceptable pace limits, car requirements, and emergency response preparedness. “All 5 should be in place for security to be achieved. You possibly can’t implement one and ignore the others,” he famous.
Engr. Saidu additional questioned the federal government’s preparedness, asking: “What are the regulatory authorities doing to sensitize Nigerians about CNG? Are the fitting security requirements being enforced? Are we geared up with applied sciences like Clever Transportation Methods (ITS) to enhance visitors move, scale back congestion, and reduce journey time for CNG automobiles to maneuver effectively?”
On-the-Floor Adoption Stays Patchy
Mr. Musa Alkakli, supervisor of the KPG filling station alongside the Mararaba-Nyanya Expressway in Abuja, shared his expertise since putting in a CNG station.
“Since we commissioned the station about three months in the past, we’ve had 20 clients request conversion. We’ll start installations for them subsequent week,” he informed Nairametrics.
He defined that the price of conversion varies: a typical sedan like a Toyota Corolla requires 4 CNG tanks (plots) costing round N835,000, whereas SUVs require bigger kits costing over N1 million. Refilling prices vary between N320 to N350 per kilogram, fluctuating with trade charges.
Regardless of these prices, demand is steadily choosing up—albeit modestly, the supervisor mentioned.
Alhaji Abubakar Olayinka, a member of the Street Transport Employers Affiliation of Nigeria (RTEAN), acknowledged CNG’s environmental advantages however pressured that its availability stays a problem.
Dr. Ifeanyi Eze of the Centre for Sustainable Power Advocacy and Transition added: “The financial logic behind CNG is compelling. However this must be seen as a programs problem. Stakeholder coordination, technical coaching, and threat ensures for infrastructure traders are important.”
Commuters Left in Limbo
On the centre of this coverage tug-of-war are on a regular basis Nigerians like Amina Yusuf, a civil servant who spends over N4,500 on every day transportation. The promise of cheaper fares by way of CNG-powered buses is attractive, however she stays skeptical.
“I would like cheaper transport, after all,” she mentioned. “However let’s see even one CNG bus on my route first.”
Promise With out Presence
For now, Nigeria’s shift to CNG stays extra of a promise than a lived actuality. With out pressing motion to resolve infrastructural challenges, subsidize conversion prices, and earn the general public’s belief, the power transition may stall earlier than it ever actually begins.
As Nigeria grapples with excessive gas prices, CNG holds transformative potential. However as many stakeholders notice, with out the fitting groundwork, it dangers changing into yet one more unfulfilled coverage dream.
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