Nigeria is calling for the adoption and use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, stating that it is affordable, will help reduce the country’s carbon footprint, and encourage a green economy for environmental sustainability.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated this at the commissioning ceremony of “Project CNG-Sprout,” an initiative aimed at providing special palliative relief through CNG-powered buses for university transportation across Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.
He said the initiative’s timely arrival amid Nigeria’s energy reform and transition to cleaner fuels stresses the importance of supporting vulnerable populations, particularly students.
Commending FEMADEC Energy for their commitment to energy innovation and collaboration with the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), which provided funding for the project, Ekpo said that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to energy affordability, security, and environmental responsibility.
He said that the present administration “has made a firm commitment to prioritize energy affordability, security, and environmental responsibility. The commissioning is a direct demonstration of that commitment in action. Through the Presidential CNG Initiative, we are not only mitigating the impact of recent subsidy reforms but also laying the foundation for a modern, gas-driven transport economy.”
“Project CNG-Sprout brings us closer to that vision. It introduces university students, our future leaders, to a new era of affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly public transport powered by Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources. It is a powerful example of how policy can intersect with real, tangible impact in the lives of everyday Nigerians.”
Ekpo acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the Presidential CNG Initiative, the Federal Ministry of Education, and universities, in making the project a reality. He encouraged students to take advantage of this initiative and expressed the government’s intent to expand CNG initiatives across public institutions.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, said the CNG project across universities targets the citing of CNG training facilities for students to learn the technology.
He said, “This will further improve the quality of students because we are creating the environment for them to learn, and we have all these infrastructure to ensure effective learning.
“We are going to launch a CNG station for the conversion of vehicles in the universities.”
He adds that the 10 CNG buses and tricycles government to the Yakubu Gowon University will alleviate transportation challenges of the university and students.
Also, Executive Director of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), Oluwole Adama, observed that the introduction and adoption of the CNG Project is a significant achievement of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government because ‘Executive Order 40’ aims to boost investments in the gas sector through fiscal incentives.
According to him, the unveiling of CNG refueling facilities in the Yakubu Gowon University, including those at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ahmadu Bello University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, represents a strong show of commitment on the side of the government and key stakeholders.
He assured that the MDGIF will continue to invest prudently in projects aimed at increasing domestic natural gas consumption and enhancing gas infrastructure in Nigeria. The Fund aims to implement clear investment procedures and prioritize ventures with significant economic returns.
“Project CNG-Sprout” aims to introduce students to affordable and environmentally friendly public transport powered by Nigeria’s natural gas resources.
