Nigerian authorities are promoting CNG as a potential solution to the country’s ongoing fuel shortages and the significant price hikes following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to abolish fuel subsidies in May 2023.
In September 2023, Tinubu launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to encourage CNG adoption and transition Nigeria to a cleaner energy future.
Car mechanic Adebola Omotosho drives eight kilometers across Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, just to fill his tank with compressed natural gas (CNG). He is one of the early adopters of this alternative fuel, which remains relatively scarce.
Despite the inconvenience of making long trips to the gas station, Omotosho believes the financial and environmental benefits make it worthwhile. “Even with the distance, it’s still far cheaper. I used to spend 75,000 naira (about $50) on petrol, but now I only spend 12,000 naira on CNG each week,” he explained.
Although Nigeria first supported CNG-powered vehicles in 2007, it only began actively promoting their widespread use last year.
The country is now looking to follow the examples of nations like Argentina, Brazil, and Iran, where millions of vehicles are powered by compressed natural gas.
