…As FG Expands CNG Infrastructure in Kano

The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria’s proven natural gas reserves have increased to 215.19 trillion cubic feet (TCF), with daily production rising to approximately 7.5 billion cubic feet from the initial 5 billion cubic feet.

Besides, Kano State has emerged as a strategic hub for compressed natural gas (CNG) development in Northern Nigeria, with seven operational refuelling stations and 17 additional facilities at various stages of completion.

Lead for Infrastructure and Demand at the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr. Taofeek Balogun, disclosed the data during a capacity-building and media parlay organised by the organization in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV) in Kano.

The engagement, which attracted 27 journalists drawn from print, broadcast and digital media organisations, was designed to deepen public understanding of the government’s gas development agenda and promote accurate reporting on opportunities in the sector.

He attributed the increase in the nation’s Natural Gas Reserve to reforms and strategic investments initiated under President Tinubu and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.

According to him, the Federal Government has secured $3.5 billion in committed investments across four major gas projects as part of efforts to expand production capacity, strengthen domestic supply and stimulate industrial development.

He further disclosed that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline project has attained 100 per cent completion, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project has reached approximately 95 per cent completion.

Balogun said the government had also committed N671 billion to public gas infrastructure development, attracting approximately N1.6 trillion in private sector investments.

On the government’s clean cooking initiative, he disclosed that the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Programme targets five million households by 2030.

He said the programme had commenced in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states, with distribution activities involving 27,000 LPG cylinders, alongside regional sensitisation campaigns to encourage households to adopt cleaner cooking alternatives.

Balogun also highlighted the government’s planned transition to a Willing Buyer, Willing Seller gas market framework by September 24, 2028, explaining that the policy would strengthen transparency, competitiveness and commercial sustainability in the gas industry.

In a separate presentation, the Chief Operating Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Mr. Tosin Coker, said the Federal Government had deployed 670 CNG-powered buses nationwide to reduce transportation costs and promote cleaner mobility.

Coker disclosed that 285 of the buses were already operating commercially across 13 states, while 302 had been allocated to transport unions, students and government agencies.

He explained that the initiative was designed to cushion the impact of rising transportation costs on Nigerians while reducing dependence on conventional petrol-powered vehicles.

According to him, commercial transport operators participating in the National Affordable CNG Transition Programme have recorded fare reductions ranging from 15 to 50 per cent on designated routes.

He added that hundreds of additional CNG buses and tricycles were being procured to expand affordable public transportation across the country.

Coker further revealed that plans were underway to establish 127 additional CNG refuelling stations across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory to improve accessibility and encourage nationwide adoption.

On the progress in Kano, he identified the state as a major beneficiary of the government’s clean mobility programme, particularly because of its strategic position along the northern gas corridor.

He disclosed that Kano currently leads the North West geopolitical zone with seven operational CNG refuelling stations, while 17 additional stations are at various stages of completion.

The PI-CNG official added that 25 additional CNG buses had been deployed to Kano to complement earlier commercial deployments, describing the development as an opportunity to improve affordable transportation and stimulate investment.

Coker also addressed concerns surrounding the safety of CNG-powered vehicles, stressing that the technology remained safe when conversions were carried out at certified centres using approved equipment and in compliance with regulatory standards.

He cautioned motorists against patronising uncertified conversion operators, emphasising the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and adherence to established safety procedures.

Speaking on behalf of participating journalists, Murtala Adewale of The Guardian Newspapers commended the Decade of Gas Secretariat and PI-CNG & EV for organising the engagement.

Adewale described the session as informative, educative and beneficial to journalists, particularly in understanding the technical and economic implications of Nigeria’s gas development policies.

He, however, urged the organisers to sustain the initiative through regular capacity-building programmes and wider participation of journalists across the country.

He also advocated stronger collaboration between media practitioners, industry operators and regulatory agencies to promote factual, balanced and informed reporting on developments in the gas sector.

The Decade of Gas Secretariat and PI-CNG & EV reaffirmed their commitment to sustained stakeholder engagement and public enlightenment as part of efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards a gas-powered economy.