National CNG Forum Secures Federal Government Backing to Deepen Compressed Natural Gas Adoption Across Nigeria

The drive towards a cleaner, more affordable, and sustainable energy future in Nigeria received a significant boost following a strategic engagement between the National Compressed Natural Gas Forum and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The high level meeting, which brought together key stakeholders from the National CNG Forum and senior officials within the Federal Government, centered on advancing the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s energy reform agenda, particularly the Compressed Natural Gas initiative and broader Electric Vehicle (EV) transition efforts designed to provide Nigerians with more cost effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional transportation fuels. Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The engagement marked another important milestone in the country’s ongoing transition towards cleaner energy solutions and demonstrated a shared commitment between government institutions and industry stakeholders to ensure the success of the national CNG programme, coordinated through key structures including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Speaking during the visit, the leadership of the National CNG Forum commended the Federal Government for introducing bold policies aimed at reducing the burden of rising transportation costs on citizens. They also expressed appreciation for the Presidential initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, noting that the dual approach reflects a forward looking strategy to diversify Nigeria’s mobility ecosystem and strengthen long term energy security.
They noted that the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas as an alternative energy source has already generated considerable interest among investors, transport operators, businesses, and members of the public.
However, the forum emphasized that the time has come to move beyond policy formulation and focus squarely on implementation. According to members of the delegation, the true success of the initiative will be measured not by the quality of the policies alone, but by the speed, efficiency, and effectiveness with which those policies are translated into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
As part of its presentation, the forum outlined several strategic recommendations designed to accelerate the nationwide adoption of CNG.
One of the major recommendations focused on simplifying and streamlining processes that would make CNG more accessible to ordinary Nigerians. Stakeholders observed that widespread adoption would depend largely on the ease with which citizens can access conversion services, fueling infrastructure, and related support systems.
The forum also highlighted the importance of strengthening safety standards across the entire CNG value chain. Given the growing interest in gas powered transportation, members stressed the need for robust operational protocols, quality assurance measures, and strict regulatory compliance to guarantee public confidence and safety.
Another critical area identified by the forum was the promotion of local manufacturing. Participants argued that encouraging the production of CNG components, equipment, and infrastructure within Nigeria would not only reduce costs but also stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, and strengthen local capacity in the emerging gas economy.
In addition, stakeholders reiterated the need for stronger institutional coordination and deeper financial support mechanisms to sustain the momentum of the transition.
In what many observers described as one of the most significant proposals of the meeting, the National Chairman of the National CNG Forum, Faruk Abdullahi, called for the establishment of a National CNG Stakeholder Coordination Framework.
According to Abdullahi, such a framework would provide a unified platform for policy harmonization among relevant institutions, facilitate investment opportunities, strengthen implementation monitoring mechanisms, and ensure timely resolution of disputes that may arise within the sector.
He further advanced two additional strategic proposals to accelerate implementation nationwide:
The Creation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gas Mobility and Alternative Fuels
Given the cross-sectoral nature of the CNG programme, the forum recommended the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee involving the Office of the SGF, relevant ministries, regulatory agencies, the Presidential CNG Initiative, and key industry stakeholders.
Such a mechanism, he explained, would strengthen coordination, eliminate policy fragmentation, and ensure seamless implementation of gas mobility and alternative fuel policies across government institutions.
The Establishment of a Dedicated CNG Development Fund
The forum also stressed that the growth of the ecosystem requires substantial capital investment. It therefore recommended the creation of a dedicated financing framework to support infrastructure expansion, fleet conversion, conversion centres, technology acquisition, and local manufacturing initiatives.
Access to affordable financing, according to the forum, would significantly accelerate private sector participation and enable faster nationwide deployment of CNG infrastructure.
Supporting this position, forum member Oladayo Femi and board member Wahab Sikiru Adeniran emphasized the forum’s commitment to collaboration rather than competition. They noted that the organization was established to work closely with government agencies, regulators, investors, and industry operators in creating a conducive environment for sustainable growth.
According to them, building confidence among key actors in the CNG ecosystem is essential for attracting investment, strengthening regulatory compliance, and fostering long term business sustainability.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, responded positively to the recommendations presented by the forum.
Representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the engagement, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the SGF, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, expressed appreciation for the forum’s proactive contributions to national development.
Dr. Kana acknowledged that the recommendations presented by the National CNG Forum align closely with the Federal Government’s broader energy transition objectives and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to initiatives that promote cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.
He assured the delegation that the issues raised during the meeting would be properly articulated and transmitted for formal consideration and policy action.
His remarks were widely interpreted as a strong indication of the Federal Government’s readiness to deepen collaboration with stakeholders and accelerate the successful rollout of CNG initiatives across the country.
The meeting concluded with stakeholders expressing optimism about the future of Nigeria’s gas powered transportation ecosystem. Participants agreed that the nation’s transition to Compressed Natural Gas presents a unique opportunity to reduce transportation costs, enhance energy security, create employment opportunities, attract investments, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
They further noted that the long term success of the initiative would depend on three critical pillars: the expansion of strategic gas infrastructure, the strengthening of regulatory frameworks, and the sustained affordability and accessibility of CNG for the Nigerian public.
As Nigeria continues its journey toward a diversified and sustainable energy future, the collaboration between the National Compressed Natural Gas Forum and the Federal Government signals a promising chapter in the country’s energy transformation story.
With growing stakeholder engagement, increased government support, and a clear commitment to implementation, the vision of a nationwide CNG ecosystem capable of delivering economic and environmental benefits to millions of Nigerians appears increasingly within reach