President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to include electric vehicles, widening the government’s clean transport strategy to cover both gas-powered and electric mobility.
Under the new directive, the initiative will be renamed the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV), with responsibility for coordinating Nigeria’s transition to alternative fuel transport systems nationwide.
According to a statement issued on March 26 by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the expanded initiative will continue to oversee the deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure while also driving the development of electric vehicle (EV) systems. This includes the rollout of EV charging networks alongside existing investments in gas refuelling stations and vehicle conversion programmes.
“The Initiative will continue to drive the deployment of CNG infrastructure, including Mother and Daughter Stations, Integrated Refuelling Units, CNG vehicles and equipment, and nationwide conversion programmes,” the statement said. “It will also anchor the development and rollout of electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, and related investments nationwide.”
The move comes as Nigeria seeks to reduce dependence on petrol imports and manage the impact of fuel subsidy removal by promoting cheaper and more locally available energy sources. CNG has been positioned by the government as a transitional fuel, given Nigeria’s significant gas reserves, while EV adoption is expected to support longer-term environmental and efficiency goals.
“Gas remains a competitive and strategic fuel for transportation, leveraging Nigeria’s abundant resources to lower costs, strengthen energy security, and conserve foreign exchange,” the statement added. “The inclusion of electric vehicles further strengthens the government’s agenda for affordable, efficient, and environmentally responsible mobility.”
As part of the directive, the President instructed the leadership of PiCNG & EV to accelerate the nationwide availability of vehicle conversion kits, which enable petrol-powered vehicles to run on CNG. He also called for measures to ensure affordability for users.
President Tinubu “directed the Executive Chairman of PiCNG & EV to immediately establish a coordinated process for the rapid deployment of vehicle conversion kits across the country and ensure that such kits are accessible to Nigerians at a cost that is not burdensome,” the statement said.
To support this, the initiative will collaborate with CreditCorp Nigeria and financial institutions to develop financing models aimed at easing the cost of vehicle conversion for individuals and businesses.
The government also ordered the accelerated rollout of Mobile Refuelling Units (MRUs) to expand access to CNG while permanent infrastructure is being developed.
The expanded mandate signals a dual-track approach to transport reform, combining short-term reliance on gas with a gradual shift toward electric mobility as Nigeria seeks to balance cost, infrastructure constraints, and environmental considerations.
