Presidential CNG Initiative Inaugurates 40 Electric-powered Vehicles

•More than 6,000 Nigerians trained, $2bn received in investment commitment

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG)  yesterday commissioned 40 electric-powered buses in Abuja, with the federal government pledging that it will continue to back projects that advance Nigeria’s clean energy transition.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Minister of State for Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the rollout marked another bold step in Nigeria’s journey towards cleaner, smarter and more sustainable mobility.”

Ekpo, who was represented by his aide, Abel Igheghe, said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to cleaner fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electric mobility.

“This gathering is not just a product showcase; it is a statement of intent. We will continue to support initiatives that align with our clean energy aspirations. Electric vehicles are an important part of the future, and they will create new industries, new jobs and new opportunities for Nigerian innovators,” the minister said.

He said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will sustain policies that promote alternative fuels, deepen gas utilisation and encourage technology transfer.

“Nigeria’s clean mobility journey must be inclusive. It must deliver affordable transport options for ordinary citizens and strengthen our national emission-reduction targets,” he added.

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of PiCNG, Ismael Ahmed, said the initiative was focused on delivering affordable and reliable mobility for Nigerians.

“This is clean energy. This is affordable energy. This is available energy. What matters is the ordinary Nigerian, the person in Kano, Zanya, or Daura whose transportation costs must come down,” he said.

Ahmed said PiCNG will power charging stations with CNG to address concerns about electricity supply. “We have sunlight, we have gas, and we will use them to deliver cheaper and cleaner mobility,” he said.

He added that the 40 newly unveiled electric buses demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing affordable, reliable and cleaner transportation across the country.

“This bus is not just for showcases. It will be deployed within the week, and Nigerians will begin to see it in several states offering cheaper transportation, especially during this festive season,” he said.

PiCNG also reaffirmed its partnership with private investors to expand charging infrastructure nationwide, including plans for more stations along major transport corridors.

Earlier at a press briefing in his office, the PiCNG chairman announced the launch of “Pi-CNG 2.0”, the next phase of Nigeria’s clean mobility transition.

Ahmed said the initiative, originally created to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal, has evolved into a catalyst for national energy transformation. “From the onset, the mandate was clear: provide relief from rising transport costs, deepen gas utilisation, stimulate jobs and catalyse economic growth,” he said.

He highlighted key achievements over the last 20 months, including activation of CNG value chains in 28 states, establishment of more than 58 refuelling stations and deployment of thousands of Natural Gas buses and tricycles.

He also listed the onboarding of over 300 automotive conversion partners, training of more than 6,000 Nigerians, including 150 armed forces personnel and 220 women in Kano and securing more than $2 billion in investment commitments as part of the achievements.

Other milestones, he said, include progress toward local manufacturing of CNG equipment at the Ajaokuta Industrial Park, strengthened gas-supply infrastructure across the northern corridor, partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to expand CNG stations in the Niger Delta, and activation of the national electric-mobility programme.

Ahmed confirmed that the Kano State CNG launch will be held in the first quarter of 2026 with President Bola Tinubu expected to attend.

As Pi-CNG enters its 2.0 phase, he said the focus will remain on availability, affordability, and acceptability of clean-energy mobility solutions. “Our mission is unwavering: to build a resilient, multi-energy transport ecosystem that lowers transport costs and positions Nigeria as a continental leader in clean mobility,” he stated.