FG Deploys 670 CNG Buses Nationwide, Targets Five Million Households for Cleaner Cooking by 2030

SNOW TV NEWS DESK

The Federal Government has announced the deployment of 670 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses across Nigeria and set a target of providing cleaner cooking solutions to five million households by 2030 as part of efforts to promote affordable energy and expand domestic gas utilization.

The figures were disclosed during a media engagement organized by the Decade of Gas Secretariat in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV) in Kano State on Thursday.

The event brought together approximately 27 journalists from television, radio, print, and digital media organizations to discuss developments in Nigeria’s gas sector and improve public understanding of government policies and initiatives.

Speaking at the engagement, the Workstream Lead for Infrastructure and Demand at the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Taofeek Balogun, said Nigeria’s proven natural gas reserves had increased from 208.83 trillion cubic feet in 2023 to 215.19 trillion cubic feet as of January 2026.

He added that average gas production had risen from 6.86 billion cubic feet per day to approximately 7.5 billion cubic feet per day, while domestic gas supply had exceeded two billion cubic feet daily.

Balogun also disclosed that four major gas projects had attracted $3.5 billion in committed investments, while the OB3 Gas Pipeline had been completed and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline was approximately 95 percent complete.

According to him, ₦671 billion in public infrastructure funding had attracted about ₦1.6 trillion in private investment, demonstrating the potential for additional investment in Nigeria’s gas industry.

CNG Buses Expected to Reduce Transportation Costs

The Chief Operating Officer of PI-CNG & EV, Tosin Coker, said the adoption of CNG-powered transportation could lower commuting expenses, strengthen energy security, and support the transition to cleaner mobility.

He disclosed that of the 670 CNG buses deployed nationwide, 285 were operating commercially across 13 states, while another 302 had been allocated to transport unions, students, and government agencies.

The initiative said hundreds of additional CNG buses and tricycles were on order to expand access to alternative transportation and accelerate the adoption of gas-powered vehicles.

It also reported that selected routes operating under the National Affordable CNG Transition Programme had recorded fare reductions ranging from 15 to 50 percent.

To support further expansion, the government plans to establish 127 additional CNG refueling stations across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The proposed facilities are expected to improve access to CNG, address infrastructure gaps, and encourage more transport operators and motorists to switch from conventional fuels.

Kano State was identified as a strategic hub for CNG development in Northern Nigeria. The state currently has seven operational refueling stations, while 17 others are at various stages of completion.

Kano has also received 25 additional CNG buses to complement earlier commercial deployments. The initiative said the state’s position along the northern gas corridor offered opportunities for investment, affordable transportation, and industrial development.

FG Targets Five Million Households for Cleaner Cooking

Under its cleaner cooking initiative, the Federal Government is targeting five million households for access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 2030.

Balogun said implementation activities had commenced in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states, alongside initiatives involving the distribution of 27,000 LPG cylinders and public awareness campaigns across different regions.

The program is intended to encourage households to adopt cleaner cooking alternatives and reduce dependence on traditional cooking fuels.

The gas initiatives also highlighted plans to transition Nigeria to a willing buyer, willing seller gas market framework by September 24, 2028. The proposed framework is aimed at promoting competition, transparency, and commercial sustainability in the domestic gas market.

FG Emphasizes CNG Safety and Public Awareness

During the interactive session, journalists raised concerns about the affordability and accessibility of gas, infrastructure development, safety standards, and the implementation of government policies.

Responding to questions about CNG vehicle safety, Coker urged motorists to use certified conversion centers, approved equipment, and qualified technicians. He also stressed the importance of complying with regulatory requirements and maintaining converted vehicles properly.

Speaking on behalf of the participating journalists, Murtala Adewale of The Guardian commended the organizers, describing the engagement as informative and beneficial to media practitioners.

He called for more frequent capacity-building programs, wider participation by journalists, and stronger collaboration with industry stakeholders and regulatory agencies to improve public understanding of developments in the gas sector.

The Kano engagement was the first formal media session organized by the two initiatives in the state, following similar engagements in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

The Decade of Gas Secretariat and PI-CNG & EV reaffirmed their commitment to sustained media engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and public education as Nigeria pursues its gas development agenda.

SNOW TV NEWS EDITORIAL ANALYSIS
CNG Expansion Will Depend on Affordability, Infrastructure, and Public Trust

The Federal Government’s deployment of 670 CNG buses and its target of reaching five million households with cleaner cooking solutions by 2030 reflect an effort to translate Nigeria’s substantial gas reserves into practical economic and social benefits. However, the success of these initiatives will depend less on the targets announced than on whether ordinary Nigerians can access and afford the alternatives being promoted.

In the transportation sector, the reported fare reductions of between 15 and 50 per cent on selected routes offer an encouraging indication of CNG’s potential to ease commuting costs. Yet, these benefits must be assessed against the actual cost of converting vehicles, the availability of refueling stations, maintenance expenses, and the reliability of gas supplies. Without accessible infrastructure, the expansion of CNG-powered transport could remain concentrated in selected locations rather than become a nationwide solution.

The plan to establish 127 additional refueling stations is therefore important. Timely completion, transparent project monitoring, and equitable distribution across states will be necessary to prevent infrastructure shortages from limiting adoption. Authorities should also publish regular updates on the number of buses operating commercially, passenger numbers, operating costs, and the extent to which fare reductions are sustained.

Nigeria’s expanding gas reserves and rising production provide an important foundation for these ambitions, but resource availability does not automatically translate into affordable domestic energy. Pipeline completion, distribution networks, investment certainty, and effective regulation will all influence whether the benefits reach consumers and businesses.

Ultimately, the government’s gas agenda should be judged by measurable improvements in people’s lives, not simply by the number of buses deployed, cylinders distributed, or projects announced. Regular public reporting, enforceable safety standards, and clear performance benchmarks would help establish whether these initiatives are delivering their promised benefits.