Pi-CNG Chair Lists Achievements, Set to Expand Refuelling, Charging Networks

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Ismaeel Ahmed, has outlined the achievements recorded by the agency in the one year since his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.

While setting out plans to expand the country’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, Ahmed stated that the foundation has been largely laid for non-hydrocarbons powered transportation in the country.

In a progress report marking his first year in office, Ahmed described the period as one of hard work, learning and collaboration, noting that although he formally assumed office on October 31, 2025, work on the initiative began immediately after Tinubu entrusted him with the responsibility of driving Nigeria’s alternative transport energy programme.

According to him, one of the major milestones achieved during the period was the rapid expansion of the country’s CNG-converted vehicle fleet, with tens of thousands of vehicles across Nigeria now running on the cleaner fuel.

To sustain the momentum, Ahmed said the initiative launched the 100,000 Conversion Kit Programme and introduced the “Convert Now, Pay Small Small” financing scheme to make vehicle conversion more affordable by allowing Nigerians to spread the cost over time.

He also highlighted the expansion of the agency’s mandate to include electric vehicles, following approval by President Tinubu, saying this has broadened the scope of Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transport energy.

As part of the expanded mandate, Ahmed noted that the Northern Corridor of CNG and EV was launched, leading to the deployment of 40 CNG buses, seven electric buses and more than 200 CNG-powered tricycles in Kano.

He added that the initiative has also facilitated the commissioning of CNG and Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) stations in Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Kaduna and Owerri, describing the facilities as the foundation for a nationwide rollout of EV charging infrastructure.

Looking ahead, Ahmed said the agency would, over the next 12 months, focus on expanding refuelling and EV charging networks across the country, deploying additional mass transit buses and tricycles, scaling up vehicle conversion financing and attracting more private sector investment into the alternative transport energy ecosystem.

According to him, the long-term objective remains to reduce transportation costs for households and businesses while building a sustainable transport energy system.

“The foundation has been laid,” Ahmed said, expressing appreciation to President Tinubu and the initiative’s private sector partners for their support and commitment to the programme.

He added that the agency would continue to build a transport energy ecosystem capable of delivering lasting value to the country and providing tangible economic relief to Nigerians.

“In a significant move to diversify the energy mix, President Tinubu expanded the agency’s mandate to include Electric Vehicles (EVs). This expansion was punctuated by the launch of the Northern Corridor of CNG & EV, which saw the deployment of 40 CNG buses, 7 electric buses and over 200 CNG-powered tricycles in Kano,” he stated.

Furthermore, the initiative has facilitated the commissioning of CNG and Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) stations in several key cities, including Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Kaduna, and Owerri. These developments are serving as the foundation for a robust national rollout of EV charging stations.

In the road ahead, Ahmed stated that the agency plans to expand: “ Expand refuelling and charging networks nationwide; deploy additional mass transit buses and tricycles; scale up conversion financing to reach more citizens and attract greater private investment into the sector.”