By Favour Ulebor

Abuja— The Federal Government has been urged to embrace Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a transformative solution to Nigeria’s environmental and economic challenges.

This call was made during the maiden Annual CNG Conference, hosted by Automotive Gas Nigeria Services Limited (Autogas Nigeria), at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), recently launched in Abuja.

Themed “Accelerating the CNG Revolution: Innovations, Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability,” the conference convened policymakers, industry experts, and innovators to advocate for the adoption of CNG as an affordable and environmentally friendly fuel alternative capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the country’s growing energy needs.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director and CEO of Autogas Nigeria, Hajiya Maryam S. Ibrahim, described CNG as a game changer in the fight against climate change and a catalyst for economic growth.

She highlighted its environmental and economic advantages, calling it “a cleaner, safer, and more affordable alternative to conventional fuels.”

“CNG is not just a fuel—it is a solution to Nigeria’s energy and environmental challenges. Its adoption will significantly reduce emissions, lower transportation costs, and enhance economic resilience for millions of Nigerians,” she said.

Hajiya Maryam also applauded the Federal Government’s National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) for its role in promoting natural gas usage, urging stronger public-private collaboration to accelerate its implementation.

Hajiya Maryam further underscored the economic opportunities tied to CNG adoption, stating that it could cut transportation costs, create jobs, and solidify Nigeria’s position in the global clean energy market.

She highlighted Autogas Nigeria’s efforts in training over 1,000 technicians and partnering with more than 100 affiliates across the country to expand CNG infrastructure and services to underserved areas.

The Chairman of NGEP, Mohammed Ibrahim, reinforced the significance of CNG in driving Nigeria’s energy transition.

He noted that natural gas, being the cleanest hydrocarbon, plays a critical role in reducing emissions and promoting energy efficiency.

“Our initiatives, such as co-locating CNG dispensing stations nationwide and retrofitting vehicles for dual fuel use, are already yielding results.

“Over 30,000 vehicles now run on dual fuels in Nigeria, and we are committed to expanding this figure with ongoing investments in infrastructure and capacity building.” He said

Ibrahim described CNG as a viable complement to renewable energy, highlighting its role in bridging the gap between traditional fuels and renewable sources.

He emphasized that leveraging Nigeria’s abundant natural gas reserves would not only boost energy independence but also contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.

One of the highlights of the conference was the launch of a technical guidebook titled ‘CNG-in-Car Installation Made Easy,’ authored by Joyce Daser-Adams, which aims to simplify the process of vehicle conversions to CNG and promote awareness of its environmental benefits.