President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate nationwide deployment of 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits as part of urgent efforts to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices on Nigerians.
The directive comes amid renewed volatility in global oil markets, driven largely by escalating geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which have continued to pressure fuel prices worldwide.
Motorists and commuters across Nigeria have felt the effect.
In Abuja, petrol currently sells between ₦1,260 and ₦1,280 per litre, depending on the filling station. The surge has triggered higher transportation fares in many cities, worsening the financial burden on millions of Nigerians who rely heavily on road transport.
The President’s instruction was disclosed by Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), following a meeting with Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
Ahmed said the government is closely monitoring global oil market developments and their potential impact on domestic fuel costs.
According to him, the President has directed the programme to accelerate efforts aimed at providing cheaper fuel alternatives for Nigerians.
Push for cheaper transport through gas-powered vehicles Ahmed explained that the CNG conversion kits will enable vehicle owners to modify their engines so they can run on compressed natural gas instead of petrol.
The initiative is expected to benefit private motorists as well as commercial transport operators, including taxi drivers, bus operators, and tricycle riders.
“The President is keenly following developments in the Middle East and the rising cost of petrol and diesel,” Ahmed said.
“He asked what we are doing at Pi-CNG to rapidly expand access to gas nationwide so Nigerians can enjoy lower transportation costs.”
He added that the 100,000 conversion kits are expected to begin deployment within two to three weeks, with conversion centres across the country preparing to expand their operations once distribution begins.
For many drivers, switching to CNG could significantly reduce fuel expenses, as gas-powered vehicles typically cost far less to operate than petrol-powered ones.
