The President's office has announced a significant expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to include electric vehicles. The initiative will now be known as the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV). This move positions PiCNG & EV to lead and coordinate Nigeria's clean mobility strategy, covering both gas-powered and electric vehicles nationwide.
The expanded mandate will see the initiative 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 the statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr 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 initiative aims to make vehicle conversions widely accessible to the public by collaborating with CreditCorp Nigeria, financial institutions, and other partners to design cost-effective financing models. President Tinubu has directed the Executive Chairman of PiCNG & EV, Ismaeel Ahmed, to immediately 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. President Tinubu has also directed the accelerated deployment of Mobile Refuelling Units (MRUs) to expand access to CNG infrastructure while permanent facilities are being developed.
President Tinubu's decision to expand the PiCNG mandate to electric vehicles is a significant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable transport ecosystem in Nigeria. By including electric vehicles in the initiative, the government aims to reduce costs, enhance energy security, and conserve foreign exchange. However, the success of this initiative will depend on the government's ability to make vehicle conversions widely accessible to the public at affordable costs. The partnership with CreditCorp Nigeria and financial institutions is a crucial step in this direction. As Nigeria transitions to cleaner transportation systems, it remains to be seen how this initiative will impact the country's energy security and economic growth.
