AWC Statehouse Desk
Abuja, March 27, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to incorporate electric vehicles, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s clean energy and transportation policy.
The initiative will now operate as the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV), with an expanded mandate to drive Nigeria’s transition to clean, affordable, and sustainable mobility.
Expanded Mandate
Under the new directive, PiCNG & EV will:
- Lead and coordinate Nigeria’s clean mobility strategy
- Oversee both CNG-powered and electric vehicles (EVs) nationwide
- Drive deployment of EV charging infrastructure
- Continue rollout of CNG stations, conversion programmes, and equipment
The initiative will maintain focus on building Mother and Daughter Stations, Integrated Refuelling Units, and scaling nationwide vehicle conversion schemes.
Focus on Affordability and Access
President Tinubu directed the immediate rollout of vehicle conversion kits, ensuring they are:
- Widely available
- Affordable for ordinary Nigerians
To support this, the programme will collaborate with Credit Corp Nigeria, financial institutions, and relevant partners to design flexible financing models for vehicle owners.
CNG Remains Strategic
The government reaffirmed the importance of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a transitional fuel, citing:
- Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves
- Lower transportation costs
- Reduced dependence on foreign exchange
Electric Vehicles Join the Mix
The addition of EVs is expected to:
- Promote environmentally friendly transportation
- Reduce emissions
- Position Nigeria within global clean energy trends
Infrastructure Push
To fast-track access, the President also approved:
- Deployment of Mobile Refuelling Units (MRUs)
- Expansion of permanent CNG infrastructure nationwide
Outlook
The policy signals a dual-track approach—leveraging gas resources while gradually integrating electric mobility—aimed at transforming Nigeria’s transport ecosystem.
Bottom Line
With the expansion to PiCNG & EV, Nigeria is taking a bold step toward cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable transportation, combining immediate cost relief through CNG with long-term investment in electric vehicle infrastructure.
