Uche Cecil Izuora
Nigeria is hoping to activate the first batch of 500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations by the end of October 2026 as it expands infrastructure for CNG-powered transportation across Nigeria.
According to the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Ismael Ahmed, the first 500 stations had already been ordered.
Also, another 500 stations would subsequently be ordered, bringing the total number of CNG stations being procured under the latest expansion to 1,000.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s August directive for an additional 500 CNG refuelling stations nationwide, on top of 500 stations previously ordered by the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund.
Tinubu said the expansion was part of efforts to help Nigerians benefit from lower operating costs associated with CNG-powered vehicles, particularly through cheaper intra-state transportation.
Ahmed explained that the stations could not be deployed immediately after being ordered because they have to be constructed, transported, installed and connected.
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He said the government is profiling locations across the country based on demand, with Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Zamfara, Borno, Enugu, Anambra and Lafia among the locations being assessed.
“Wherever there is demand, we will take it,” Ahmed said, adding that the government would consider traffic levels, the number of vehicles and other factors when deciding where to deploy the stations.
Ahmed said Abuja currently has 26 operational CNG stations, the highest number in the country.
He identified land availability as one of the challenges limiting the establishment of more CNG stations in the Federal Capital Territory, despite interest from operators.
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According to him, gas is available across the country, but additional refuelling infrastructure is needed to make it easier for converted vehicles to access CNG.
The Presidency said the Federal Government currently has more than 120,000 vehicles converted to CNG and over 400 certified conversion centres. Nigeria also has more than 90 CNG refuelling stations, according to Tinubu’s September 19 update.
The fuel transition expansion is tied to the Federal Government’s National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which aims to increase the use of cheaper energy sources in public transportation.
Tinubu has said the government wants Nigerians to begin seeing measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1, 2026.
The President cited examples from Borno, Niger, Kaduna, Oyo, Adamawa, Enugu and other states where CNG-powered or alternative-energy transport services have already been associated with lower fares. These figures were presented by the Presidency as evidence of savings being passed to commuters.
Government has also urged states to work with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversions and fleet deployment, and provide infrastructure needed to expand CNG-powered transportation.