Tinubu Expands CNG Initiative to Include Electric Vehicles, Boosting Nigeria’s Clean Mobility
President Bola Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to now include electric vehicles (EVs), signaling a new era for Nigeria’s clean transportation strategy. The initiative, which will be renamed the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV), is set to coordinate nationwide efforts to promote both gas-powered and electric mobility solutions.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced that the expanded initiative will lead the development of EV infrastructure, including charging stations, vehicle rollout programs, and related investments. “PiCNG & EV will drive Nigeria’s clean mobility strategy, covering gas-driven vehicles and electric vehicles nationwide,” the statement read.
The government plans to make vehicle conversions more accessible to Nigerians by collaborating with CreditCorp Nigeria, other financial institutions, and relevant partners. The aim is to establish cost-effective financing for conversion kits, ensuring that transitioning to CNG or electric vehicles does not impose a heavy financial burden on the public. Mobile Refuelling Units will also be deployed to extend access to CNG while permanent refuelling infrastructure continues to expand.
Gas remains a strategic fuel for Nigeria, leveraging the country’s vast natural gas reserves—estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet—to reduce transportation costs, conserve foreign exchange, and enhance energy security. By adding electric vehicles to the program, the government emphasizes affordability, efficiency, and environmentally responsible mobility, aligning with global trends toward sustainable transport.
Launched in 2023, the original Presidential CNG Initiative aimed to ease the impact of petrol subsidy removals and accelerate cleaner energy adoption. With nationwide plans to convert one million vehicles to run on compressed natural gas, the expansion to include EVs marks a significant step toward modernizing Nigeria’s transportation sector while promoting cleaner, low-cost alternatives for millions of citizens.
source: punch