Nigeria’s move toward cleaner, more affordable Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation received a renewed boost as key industry stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment at the 2nd Autogas Nigeria Annual Conference, held in commemoration of World Sustainable Transport Day.
The event was held at the National Open University, Jabi, Abuja on 26–27 November, 2025.
Speakers at the event underscored the economic, environmental, and public-health advantages of nationwide CNG adoption, stressing its potential to cut transport costs, improve citizens’ welfare, and significantly reduce emissions.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers President, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, who was represented by Automotive and Locomotive Engineers National Chairman, Engr. Sylvester A. Aye, reiterated the Society’s firm support for Nigeria’s CNG transition.
She highlighted CNG’s compatibility with net-zero ambitions and its capacity to lower operational costs, curb emissions, and stimulate growth across gas-based industries.
Oguntala urged engineers to take the lead in expanding infrastructure, strengthening regulations, boosting technical capacity, encouraging local manufacturing, and preventing unsafe vehicle conversions. She stressed that CNG holds significant socioeconomic benefits and called on stakeholders to move decisively from discussion to practical implementation.
Professor Umar Katsayal, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, described the CNG transition as essential to Nigeria’s economic development. Citing research, he noted that CNG-powered vehicles emit far fewer pollutants, with carbon-dioxide reductions reaching 20–30%.
While not a total solution, he said CNG offers tangible benefits—from lower operating costs and cleaner air to broader value-chain opportunities.
Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, reinforced the Federal Government’s stance on natural gas as the country’s transition fuel, pointing to Nigeria’s substantial 210 trillion cubic feet of reserves.
He commended President Tinubu’s Presidential Initiative on CNG (PICNG) for accelerating adoption following the removal of petrol subsidies.
Autogas Nigeria’s MD/CEO, Hajiya Maryam Salihu Ibrahim, praised partners for maintaining momentum in Nigeria’s clean-energy drive. She reaffirmed the organisation’s mission to promote CNG through vehicle conversions, the establishment of refuelling stations, and extensive capacity building.
According to her, CNG has become a strategic national-development fuel, and she applauded the PCNGI for supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at lowering fuel costs and strengthening energy security.
Autogas Nigeria’s chief operating officer Kennedy Osagie, restated the company’s dedication to the transition, outlining key achievements including the training of more than 1,000 technicians, conversion of over 2,000 vehicles, development of a 100-workshop support network, and progress with the SheGas initiative.
The conference brought together industry leaders, government representatives, and energy advocates who collectively reaffirmed their determination to drive Nigeria’s clean-energy transformation.
