FG Launches CNG, Electric Vehicles In Kano. The Federal Government has unveiled the national corridor for the CNG and Electric Vehicle transport program in Kano State, aimed at easing the transportation burden for the masses following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Kano —
The Federal Government through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles has launched the Northern Corridor of the CNG and electric vehicle transport programme in Kano State,on Thursday.
The initiative is aimed at promoting cleaner, affordable and sustainable transportation while reducing the cost of movement of goods and passengers across the country.
The event,held at Sani Abacha Stadium,attracted government officials,investors, transport stakeholders,and representatives of the Kano State Government.
Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia,the Deputy Chief of Staff ,who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima,described the initiative as a strategic economic intervention aimed at supporting Nigeria’s energy transition and improving transportation efficiency.
He added that transportation costs remain a major driving force for inflation, affecting food prices, logistics and overall economic stability.
FG Launches CNG, Electric Vehicles In Kano
“This transition is not just an energy policy; it is an economic strategy aimed at reducing costs and strengthening long-term growth,” he said.
The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Ismaeel Ahmed, said the programme had evolved beyond cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal to building a sustainable transportation ecosystem.
Ahmed further noted that the initiative has expanded through conversion centres, refuelling infrastructure and workforce development across several states
Ahmed disclosed that over 300 conversion partners had been onboarded nationwide, including 41 centres in Kano, while more than 7,000 Nigerians had been trained under the programme.
“We are guided by three priorities: affordability, availability and acceptability. Nigerians should be able to convert their vehicles without financial pressure,” Ahmed said.
FG Launches CNG, Electric Vehicles In Kano
He added that the initiative had attracted over $2bn in investment commitments, noting that Kano remained a strategic commercial and logistics hub in Northern.
Governor Abba Yusuf described the programme as a timely intervention aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving living conditions.
“Kano has always occupied a strategic position in commerce, transportation and industry. Any initiative capable of reducing transportation costs and providing affordable alternatives will directly improve the lives of millions of our people,” he said
Yusuf said the state government had begun collaborating with investors and relevant agencies to expand gas and electric mobility infrastructure across the state.
The event also featured the commissioning of two new CNG refuelling stations to support clean mobility infrastructure in Kano and neighbouring states.
President Tinubu Expands CNG Initiative to Include Electric Vehicles.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved the expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to include electric vehicles (EVs).
The initiative was then renamed as the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV).
The development was revealed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“President Tinubu approves expansion of PiCNG mandate to include electric vehicles” the statement reads
“With this approval, PiCNG & EV will lead and coordinate Nigeria’s clean mobility strategy, covering gas-driven vehicles and Electric Vehicles nationwide”
FG Launches CNG, Electric Vehicles In Kano
“The Initiative will continue to drive the deployment of CNG infrastructure, including Mother and Daughter Stations, Integrated Refuelling Units, CNG vehicles and equipment, and nationwide conversion programmes.” the statement added
Onanuga added that it will also anchor the development and rollout of electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, and related investments nationwide.
The Presidential CNG Initiative was launched in 2023 as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to cushion the impact of petrol subsidy removal and promote cleaner energy alternatives for transportation.
Nigeria has one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world, estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet, making CNG a potentially cheaper alternative to petrol for powering vehicles.
The initiative has been deploying CNG conversion centres and refuelling stations across the country, with plans to convert one million vehicles to run on compressed natural gas.
FG Launches CNG, Electric Vehicles In Kano
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative had earlier distributed 20 CNG buses in Lagos.
The buses were received by the Oniru of Iru, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbbolahan, on behalf of Iru Land Transport Company Limited.
In his remark during the commissioning, the Director of PCNGi, Oluwagbemi Michael, emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is ready to ensure there are enough CNG buses in the country to reduce the reliance on petrol and diesel.
He revealed that the buses being handed over were produced locally, saying more would be procured for the use of the people.
FG Launches CNG, Electric Vehicles In Kano
However, he emphasised that beneficiaries of the buses would pay the cost over time and the money would be used to get more buses for others
“Yes, we are providing these buses, they were purchased by the Federal Ministry of Finance under the palliative programme. They are becoming available because they are being assembled and manufactured here in Nigeria”
“As everybody has been asking, where are the buses? Those buses were under manufacturing. And so, immediately some became available as a result of testing. If you go to those buses, you will see the testing logo. Once the testing is done, we start rolling out, as we promised” he said
The PCNGI is the program of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, dedicated to promoting clean energy solutions across Nigeria. Through strategic partnerships and innovative projects, PCNGI aims to reduce environmental impact and support the transition to sustainable energy for the transport sector.
