A materials engineering expert and researcher, Dr Kazeem Abubakar, has said the vast potential of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Nigeria can be fully harnessed with adequate policy support and the provision of required infrastructure by the government.
Abubakar, who is also the Assistant Director of Research at the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), made this known in an interview with reporters on Monday in Abuja.
He said that with sustained infrastructure development and public engagement, CNG could significantly reduce transportation costs and emissions, while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to him, delivering cleaner air, creating jobs, driving economic growth and ensuring a more sustainable future for Nigerians should be a national priority.
“Nigeria’s shift towards CNG, supported by renewed policy focus and private sector investment, represents a strategic and timely effort to harness the country’s abundant natural gas resources for sustainable mobility and energy security.
“Although current adoption remains small relative to its full potential, more than 100,000 vehicles have been converted so far, with hundreds of conversion centres and refueling points established, alongside growing investment inflows.
“This clearly shows that CNG can become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s clean energy transition,” he said.
Abubakar noted that to fully scale up and realist the opportunities in converting petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles to CNG, coordinated actions were required across several fronts.
He identified these to include accelerated infrastructure deployment, expansion of refueling stations, development of compression hubs, and the establishment of certified conversion centres nationwide.
He also advocated the expansion of conversion incentives through subsidies or support for conversion kits, particularly for low-income vehicle owners and commercial transport operators.
“Public awareness and safety campaigns, policy consistency, effective regulation and alignment of CNG initiatives with broader gas utilization policies are crucial to the success of the programme,” he said.
Abubakar added that lower emissions from CNG-powered vehicles would support Nigeria’s emission reduction targets and strengthen its climate change mitigation efforts.
“The expansion of gas distribution networks, refueling stations and conversion infrastructure will also drive industrialization and support the development of modern energy systems,” he said.
