Nigeria pushes for CNG adoption amid safety concerns and high conversion costs
- The Nigerian government launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) in September 2023 to promote CNG vehicles and reduce emissions.
- Conversion costs for private vehicles remain high at 1.3 million naira, limiting accessibility for many drivers.
- Safety concerns have arisen following an incident involving a CNG vehicle explosion, but officials insist that properly converted CNG vehicles are safer than traditional fuel cars.
Nigeria is currently transitioning towards cleaner energy by promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. In September 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to facilitate this shift and address environmental concerns. Historically, the Nigerian government supported CNG-powered vehicles since 2007 but intensified promotion efforts only last year. Around 100,000 vehicles have been converted so far, with a vision to convert one million commercial vehicles by 2026. However, the conversion cost remains high, approximately 1.3 million naira (about $775), often making it unaffordable for many private car owners. Despite concerns raised over safety due to a recent explosion of a CNG car and social media claims describing CNG as a “time bomb,” officials maintain that a properly converted vehicle is safer than those running on fossil fuels. The CEO of the PCNGI, Michael Oluwagbemi, states that the public should not be discouraged by safety fears, arguing that mass adoption of CNG would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. As Nigeria moves forward, experts like Chidalu Onyenso emphasize that the adoption of CNG should be seen as an interim step in a broader effort towards sustainable energy solutions rather than an endpoint in itself. The initiative is coupled with the construction of 75 new gas stations nationwide to enhance accessibility to CNG. Although some skepticism exists regarding the quality of CNG conversions, officials are pledging to implement stricter compliance measures to ensure safety and reliability. Overall, while the progress towards CNG adoption presents challenges, such initiatives are seen as vital for Nigeria's environmental future and for cutting down transportation costs for the populace.