NIGERIA: PCNGI Boss Announces 175 New CNG Stations Nationwide

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Chief Executive of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, has announced that 175 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations are currently under development across Nigeria.

This development comes as part of the federal government’s push towards cleaner, more affordable energy alternatives.

Speaking in a press statement released on Sunday, Oluwagbemi noted that these new facilities are being established in addition to 53 existing daughter stations and represent part of the broader effort to transition Nigeria’s transport sector to CNG and electric vehicles (EVs).

He stated: “From a modest 11 stations in May 2024, we now have 53 daughter stations and are expecting 175 more, thanks to over $500 million in investments made within the last year.”

The PCNGI CEO highlighted significant growth in CNG vehicle adoption, revealing that the number of such vehicles on Nigerian roads has risen from 4,000 to over 50,000, with projections to reach 100,000 before the end of 2025.

According to him, the surge in demand is driving heavy investment from both the private and public sectors. Major players including AY Shafa, Femadec, Greenville, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bovas, and NIPCO are spearheading infrastructure development across major cities and underserved regions.

Oluwagbemi further addressed earlier skepticism about the viability of CNG adoption, noting that the initiative initially met resistance due to misinformation and low awareness. However, he asserted that the current momentum proves the programme’s effectiveness.

He said: “Engineering feats take time. It took over 70 years to get addicted to petrol and diesel; we won’t reverse that in seven months. But we’re on the right track.”

It was also gathered that the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) has also played a pivotal role, awarding equity funding to gas projects and supporting 10 new entrie, three of which are focused specifically on CNG infrastructure.

The statement also mentioned that within one year, the initiative has created over 10,000 direct jobs, facilitated the establishment of 255 new conversion centres, and catalyzed a national shift towards gas-powered mobility.

Oluwagbemi reiterated the PCNGI’s commitment to delivering on President Tinubu’s vision for sustainable and affordable transportation in Nigeria.

He added: “Rome wasn’t built in a day. But one year later, even the doubters are singing a new tune.”