Nord Hands Over 50 High-Capacity CNG Buses to Federal Government

Indigenous automobile manufacturer, Nord Automobiles, has delivered 50 high-capacity, ultra-modern Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) city buses to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance, marking another milestone in the nation’s drive to enhance urban transportation.

The buses were officially handed over on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the company’s assembly facility in Epe, Lagos. Speaking during the ceremony, Executive Chairman of Nord Automobiles, Oluwatobi Ajayi, said the company remains committed to meeting Nigeria’s growing demand for both commercial and passenger vehicles.

Ajayi applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing and enforcing the Nigeria First Policy, which encourages patronage of locally manufactured products.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our industrial capacity as one of Nigeria’s foremost auto makers and to support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to provide Nigerians with a better quality of life—including affordable transportation,” he said. “We have delivered according to budget, according to specification, and on schedule.”

Ajayi expressed satisfaction that the company continues to add value to the nation, noting that the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi) will determine the nationwide distribution of the buses.

“I understand they will be deployed across all six geopolitical zones,” he added.

The Nord Chairman emphasized that the buses were fully assembled at the company’s Epe plant, stressing that CNG-powered vehicles remain significantly more cost-effective than petrol or diesel options.

He further revealed that the factory now has a production capacity of over 20,000 units annually, with the ability to meet large-scale orders. Beyond buses, Nord also manufactures sedans, SUVs, and other mobility solutions and is currently assembling 1,000 tricycles in Kwara State.

According to Ajayi, PCNGi confirmed that Nord is the first company to deliver 100 percent of its obligations under the national CNG programme.

“We also possess the capacity to maintain the buses. Our after-sales network is the widest among Nigerian assemblers—you can check the BPP website,” he noted.

Features of the Nord CNG Buses

Each Nord-branded city bus is designed to carry 60 passengers—30 seated and 30 standing—and comes fully air-conditioned. Its additional features are surveillance cameras; electronic ticketing system, in-built fire extinguisher, spacious aisle and large viewing windows, decentralized air-conditioning vents with individual controls, and phone charging ports at every seat.

The buses are optimized for city operations and aim to improve commuter experience across the country.