In the face of global climate change, rising fuel costs, and a growing demand for cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is emerging as a practical and strategic alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

With the global push for reduced carbon emissions and energy independence, CNG has become more than an alternative fuel; it is a catalyst for economic transformation.

In India, cities such as Delhi and Mumbai have integrated CNG-powered vehicles into their public transit systems, transforming how millions commute. This shift has led to a notable reduction in air pollution while easing the financial burden of fuel subsidies on the government.

Pakistan offers another compelling example. With one of the largest numbers of CNG-powered vehicles globally, the country’s experience underscores how strategic policy and long-term planning can turn a cleaner fuel into a mainstream energy source.

Meanwhile, Brazil, known for its successful ethanol programs, has expanded its energy portfolio by embracing CNG for public and commercial transportation, achieving remarkable progress in emissions control.

For decades, Nigeria flared its natural gas, literally burning off a resource that could have powered vehicles, homes, and industries. The country has spent billions of dollars importing refined petrol to meet domestic demand. This irony has not only strained the national budget but also contributed to urban air pollution and fuel scarcity.

With the removal of fuel subsidies and the global energy landscape shifting toward cleaner sources, Nigeria has reached a critical moment. The economic and environmental logic behind widespread CNG adoption is finally taking root.

And this shift is becoming more apparent in Lagos. Characteristically, and thanks to the visionary leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos is at the forefront of Nigeria’s CNG journey.

The state government has introduced CNG-powered buses into its public transportation network. At the same time, the private sector is responding with rising interest, opening vehicle conversion centres, and championing awareness campaigns.

Yet, despite this progress, public sentiment remains mixed. Many Lagosians are hopeful that CNG will offer financial relief amid economic hardship, but concerns persist about infrastructure, conversion costs, and the availability of refueling stations.

It is in this that the State-owned IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC) has emerged as a key driver of change. IOGC has taken on the ambitious responsibility of making sustainable energy not just a policy aspiration, but a functional reality for everyday Lagosians. Essential to this mission is the promotion and deployment of CNG across the state.

IOGC’s approach is multifaceted and intentional, focused on infrastructure development, technical training, clean energy advocacy, and innovation. The company’s investment in CNG trucks, filling stations, and technical capacity-building programs represents a long-term commitment to energy transition.

As of now, IOGC has two dedicated CNG trucks in operation and plans to add nine more by the end of 2025. These trucks are crucial for delivering CNG to retail stations and ensuring a reliable supply chain.

Supporting these efforts are IOGC’s five LPG plants and multiple skids, strategically spread across the state to serve both commercial and residential consumers.

While these facilities primarily support LPG distribution, they also form part of a broader natural gas ecosystem that is flexible enough to incorporate CNG and other cleaner fuel types. In this way, IOGC is helping build an infrastructure base that can evolve with Nigeria’s energy needs.

Local capacity-building is another area where the corporation is making a meaningful impact. To date, 85 technicians have been trained to handle and maintain CNG systems. In addition, 17 master trainers have been certified, ensuring that knowledge transfer continues across generations of workers. These technical experts are critical in a city where transportation accounts for a substantial share of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.

IOGC’s vision for 2025 is bold and strategic. The management plans to certify nine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) workshops specifically for CNG vehicle conversions. These certified centres will ensure that conversions are carried out safely and to global standards, giving both commercial and private vehicle owners the confidence to make the switch.

Alongside these efforts, IOGC aims to establish 17 CNG stations, with the first four becoming operational by July 2025 and the remaining by October. To ensure seamless delivery, 17 new CNG delivery trucks will also be procured.

These developments are not just theoretical. The benefits of CNG have already been validated through practical testing. A recent Lagos-to-Ibadan pilot journey in a CNG-powered vehicle proved revelatory: covering 180 kilometres, the trip demonstrated an 81.2% reduction in fuel costs when compared to petrol.

For businesses operating vehicle fleets, this kind of savings has the potential to shift the balance sheet and dramatically reduce operational expenses. For individuals and families, it promises relief from the volatile swings of petrol prices and the burden of rising transport fares.

Beyond transportation, IOGC is also addressing one of the most pressing issues in many Nigerian homes: clean cooking.

Traditional cooking methods, which often rely on firewood or charcoal, are not only harmful to the environment but also detrimental to public health, especially for women and children. In response, the company’s Clean Cooking Initiative is expanding access to LPG, CNG, and other safer fuels. So far, over 80,000 households in Lagos are benefiting from IOGC’s LPG supply and delivery networks.

Plans are underway to roll out even more skids and standalone LPG plants before the end of 2025, making clean cooking fuels more accessible to underserved communities.

Safety remains integral to IOGC’s operations. In 2024, the company launched a gas plant in Lakowe, equipped with cutting-edge safety systems such as gas leak detectors, sprinkler systems, fire alarms, blast walls, and emergency shut-off valves. This facility also houses a dedicated LPG generator and vertical gas tanks, in full compliance with the stringent regulations of Nigeria’s Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

By prioritizing safety, IOGC is not only protecting its staff and host communities but also reinforcing public trust in the use of natural gas.

Looking to the future, IOGC is focused on expanding both its technological capabilities and its collaborative networks. The company is in active dialogue with leading OEMs like Safe S.p.A and Landi Renzo S.p.A is to ensure that the latest conversion technologies and refueling systems are incorporated into its operations. These partnerships are essential for standardization, quality assurance, and sustainability.

The importance of this work cannot be overemphasised. As Nigeria continues to struggle with fuel scarcity, foreign exchange pressures, and the health consequences of environmental pollution, CNG offers a leeway toward self-reliance and sustainable development. With Lagos as a testbed and IOGC at the helm, this vision is steadily becoming a reality.

What IOGC is doing goes far beyond distributing gas. The corporation is creating a culture of responsible energy consumption rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship.

Every CNG station it builds, every technician it trains, and every household it reaches with clean cooking fuel brings Lagos and, indeed, Nigeria a step closer to an energy future that is both affordable and sustainable.

No doubt, Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation shines as a beacon of what is possible when public policy, technical expertise, and visionary leadership converge. Through the renewed CNG initiative, Lagos is not just preparing for tomorrow; it is paving the way for a better Lagos and, by extension, Nigeria.

Otuyemi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja