- Umar Katsayal, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, urged Nigeria to adopt CNG as a nationwide fuel source.
- Government and industry leaders emphasised that Nigeria’s extensive gas reserves and CNG initiatives position the country to lead Africa in gas-powered mobility.
Umar Katsayal, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, has urged Nigeria to adopt Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a nationwide fuel source. He said the shift from petrol will sharply reduce harmful emissions nationwide. He delivered this message on Wednesday at the Autogas Nigeria Annual Conference in Abuja. The university librarian, Ibrahim Ahmadu, represented him at the event.
The conference marked World Sustainable Transport Day. It focused on the theme “CNG for All: Powering Nigeria’s Sustainable Future.” During the sessions, Mr Katsayal explained that switching to cleaner gas would ease financial pressure on citizens. He also emphasised that lower transportation costs could bring immediate relief to households.
He described the transition as essential for economic growth. CNG vehicles, he noted, emit far less particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. He added that carbon dioxide emissions may fall by up to 30 per cent. The exact reduction depends on vehicle type and fuel supply efficiency. He also noted that the conference theme highlighted significant health and environmental gains. These benefits are most important in crowded cities, where pollution already poses a daily threat to life.
Although he accepted that CNG is not a “silver bullet,” he insisted that it remains a practical tool for lowering transport costs. He argued that the shift also supports Nigeria’s broader goals for sustainability and energy diversification.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Energy Commission, Mustapha Abdullahi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to gas as Nigeria’s primary transition fuel. He stated that the country’s extensive gas reserves offer a clear path to affordable and reliable energy. He also praised President Bola Tinubu for launching the CNG initiative. According to him, the programme has boosted gas adoption since the removal of petrol subsidies. He added that it has strengthened public confidence in gas as a cheaper and viable alternative.
In the same vein, Autogas Nigeria’s Managing Director, Maryam Ibrahim, stated that Nigeria is well-positioned to lead Africa’s shift to gas-powered mobility. She explained that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda by lowering fuel costs and improving energy security. She added that strong partner support remains “the powerful fuel driving Nigeria’s clean energy future.”