The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has strongly responded to recent media criticism suggesting a lack of infrastructure in Nigeria’s emerging CNG sector, calling such reports “alarmist” and unrepresentative of the remarkable strides made in just one year of implementation.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, PCNGI highlighted the progress achieved since the initiative was launched in May 2024, describing the sector as “thriving” with over $500 million in private and public investments and the creation of more than 10,000 direct jobs.
The Program Director and Chief Executive of PCNGI, Engr. Michael O. Oluwagbemi, emphasized that despite skepticism and misinformation early on, demand for CNG has surged dramatically. From a modest base of around 4,000 vehicles nationwide, the CNG vehicle count has soared to over 50,000 and is expected to reach 100,000 soon, significantly driving up activity at fueling stations.
“With such unprecedented growth, naturally, there will be queues at stations. But this is a good problem—proof that Nigerians are embracing the program,” Oluwagbemi stated.
He noted that the infrastructure to meet this demand is rapidly expanding. Over 175 CNG stations are currently under development nationwide through collaborations with key private and public partners. Notable recent developments include:
AY Shafa and Femadec commissioning daughter stations in Abuja, with 30 more stations in the pipeline.
Greenville’s rollout of 51 LCNG stations across the North and Southeast.
PCNGI-backed rollouts of 24 new sites within 6–9 months, including facilities in Port Harcourt, Ado-Ekiti, Lokoja, Abuja, Aba, and Enugu.
NNPCL’s expansion from 12 to 60 stations under its Phase 2 plan.
Bovas and NIPCO launching ultra-modern stations in Ibadan and across 31 other locations.
PCNGI also revealed that 255 new vehicle conversion centers and 53 daughter stations have emerged in just 12 months—significant progress in a country that had only 11 functional CNG stations as of 2023.
Oluwagbemi acknowledged that infrastructure buildout takes time, comparing the transition to weaning off a 70-year dependence on petrol and diesel. He urged the media and public to exercise patience and celebrate the gains made so far, noting that platforms like Vanguard Newspaper should avoid “driving negative narratives.”
“There is no logical reason for any Nigerian with a bi-fuel vehicle to revert to using petrol alone when cost savings of up to 90% can be achieved with CNG,” the statement noted.
As the initiative moves forward, the PCNGI reaffirmed its commitment to delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable transportation future for all Nigerians.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day—and CNG adoption in Nigeria won’t happen overnight,” Oluwagbemi concluded. “But we are well on the path, and the results speak for themselves.”