The Federal Government has called on residents of Rivers State, the Niger Delta region, and private investors to embrace the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel for vehicles, citing its affordability, safety, and environmental benefits.
The Chief Operating Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG/EV), Tosin Coker, made the appeal during a media awareness session held in Port Harcourt.
The session, organised by the Decade of Gas Initiative in collaboration with PI-CNG/EV, was aimed at strengthening public understanding of Nigeria’s gas development agenda.
Coker disclosed that between 100,000 and 120,000 vehicles have already been converted to run on CNG across the country, adding that the programme would soon be expanded in Port Harcourt.
He explained that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to promote clean and affordable transportation through the adoption of CNG and emerging electric mobility solutions.
According to him, the removal of petrol subsidy significantly increased fuel costs, making it necessary for the government to introduce viable alternatives.
“The government is very interested in CNG because Nigeria has abundant natural gas resources that are not affected by global geopolitical tensions that influence petrol and diesel prices,” he said.
He noted that while fuel prices have fluctuated in recent months due to international developments, the price of CNG has remained relatively stable.
Coker added that the government is creating an enabling environment for investment in the sector, including policies encouraging ministries, departments, and agencies to convert their fleets to CNG or procure CNG-powered vehicles.
He urged Nigerians to take advantage of available financing opportunities and existing infrastructure to adopt the cleaner fuel option.
On the technical aspect, he explained that petrol or diesel vehicles can be converted to CNG using specialised conversion kits, which allow dual usage of both fuel types. He clarified that Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), on the other hand, operates differently and is typically used in heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and trains.
Also speaking, Team Lead of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Opeyemi Balogun, said the programme is committed to enhancing media capacity for accurate reporting of oil and gas issues.
Balogun emphasised the importance of informed journalism in promoting Nigeria’s vision of a gas-powered economy, noting that the initiative has held similar engagements in Lagos and Abuja since 2025.
He also highlighted government efforts to reduce gas flaring through initiatives such as the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, which aims to harness previously flared gas for economic use.
Balogun urged journalists to ensure accuracy and avoid sensationalism in reporting gas-related incidents, stressing that misleading reports could distort public perception.
Participants at the session commended the organisers for improving their understanding of the sector and enhancing their reporting capacity.
