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Tinubu Orders 100,000 CNG Kits Nationwide to Shield Nigerians from Fuel Price Surge

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 11th, 2026.

In a bold move to ease the burden of rising fuel prices on commuters, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate deployment of 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits across Nigeria. The initiative aims to provide alternative, more affordable transportation options amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has disrupted global oil markets.

The directive was announced by Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), following a meeting with the President on Tuesday. Ahmed explained that the initiative is part of a broader plan to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel, whose prices have surged due to the United States–Israel war with Iran.

“The President is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and their impact on fuel costs here at home,” Ahmed said. “He has instructed Pi-CNG and the electric vehicle (EV) programme to rapidly expand the availability of gas and charging infrastructure so Nigerians can enjoy lower transport costs.”

The 100,000 CNG kits will be distributed nationwide over the next few weeks, enabling vehicle owners, including tricycle operators, to convert their engines to run on natural gas. Conversion centers are set to become operational hubs, providing services to thousands of commuters across key transport corridors.

Ahmed noted that the initiative also includes a fast-track rollout of CNG refuelling stations and EV charging points, particularly along major routes in the Northern Corridor. Currently, 77 CNG refilling stations are under development nationwide, with operational hubs already in Kano and additional “daughter stations” being built to expand coverage. Plans are underway to connect Lokoja, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, and Maiduguri with a network of refuelling and charging facilities.

The Pi-CNG programme is collaborating with both local and international vehicle manufacturers to support engine conversion and the local assembly of CNG-powered and electric vehicles, a move expected to create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s automotive sector. In addition, the initiative is working with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to deploy solar powered EV charging stations in off-grid areas, ensuring accessibility across urban and rural communities.

Ahmed emphasized the urgency of the programme, saying, “People are already importing electric vehicles. Our focus now is to provide the infrastructure for them to operate efficiently, especially in off-grid regions. The President expects rapid results so Nigerians can access cheaper and sustainable transport alternatives as soon as possible.”

This nationwide initiative reflects the federal government’s push to mitigate the impact of global energy disruptions while accelerating the transition to cleaner and more cost-effective transportation solutions in Nigeria.