The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has given his approval for the expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to include electric vehicles. This move positions PiCNG to lead and coordinate Nigeria's clean mobility strategy, covering both gas-powered and electric vehicles nationwide.
The initiative will continue to drive the deployment of CNG infrastructure, including Mother and Daughter Stations, Integrated Refuelling Units, and nationwide vehicle conversion programmes. It will also oversee the rollout of electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, and related investments across the country.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the inclusion of EVs further strengthens the government's agenda for affordable, efficient, and environmentally responsible mobility. Onanuga noted that gas remains a competitive and strategic fuel for transportation, leveraging Nigeria's abundant resources to reduce costs and enhance energy security.
The President has directed the Executive Chairman of PiCNG, Ismaeel Ahmed, to establish a coordinated process for the rapid deployment of vehicle conversion kits nationwide. The kits must be made accessible to Nigerians at affordable and non-burdensome costs, with the initiative collaborating with CreditCorp Nigeria, financial institutions, and other partners to design cost-effective financing models.
The goal is to ensure that vehicle conversions are widely accessible to the public. The initiative is expected to play a central role in Nigeria's transition to cleaner and more sustainable transportation systems.
President Tinubu's decision to expand the PiCNG mandate to include electric vehicles is a significant step towards achieving a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system in Nigeria. However, the success of this initiative will depend on the ability of the government to provide affordable and accessible vehicle conversion kits to Nigerians. The collaboration with CreditCorp Nigeria and financial institutions is a welcome development, but it remains to be seen how cost-effective these financing models will be for the average Nigerian. The accelerated deployment of Mobile Refuelling Units is also a positive step, but it is crucial that these facilities are developed in a way that prioritizes the needs of everyday Nigerians.
