Nigeria has recorded a major increase in the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel, with more than 100,000 vehicles and over 4,600 tricycles currently operating on the gas nationwide.
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG) disclosed this in Abuja, noting that the shift reflects growing acceptance of CNG by transport operators and private fleet owners seeking cheaper and cleaner fuel options.
Speaking on the development, the Chief Compliance Officer of PiCNG, Zayyanu Tambari, said the number of CNG-powered vehicles has grown significantly since 2023, when only about 11,000 vehicles were using the fuel across the country.
He explained that companies involved in logistics and long-distance transportation are increasingly converting their fleets to run on CNG, adding that thousands of natural gas vehicles, including haulage trucks and buses, are already in operation.
Tambari noted that several heavy-duty trucks assembled in Nigeria, including those used by large industrial firms, have been refitted to operate on CNG. He added that more than 500 buses capable of running on CNG and conventional fuels have also been deployed nationwide.
According to him, the Federal Government aims to ensure that at least one million vehicles run on CNG by 2027, either through conversion, factory installation, local manufacturing, or importation.
He further disclosed that CNG infrastructure has expanded beyond initial projections. While only 11 states had CNG facilities at the start of the programme, over 23 states now have active CNG projects and conversion centres. In total, hundreds of conversion centres are currently operating across the country.
Tambari said efforts are ongoing to extend CNG infrastructure to all states, and possibly every senatorial district, before the end of 2026. He also revealed that refuelling capacity has improved, alongside the training of thousands of technicians to support the growing sector.
The PiCNG programme was launched in 2023 following the removal of fuel subsidies as part of broader efforts to reduce transportation costs, promote cleaner energy, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy mix.
Officials expressed optimism that the rapid growth recorded so far will accelerate further, positioning CNG as a key alternative fuel for mobility in Nigeria.
