By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has donated 35 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The donation, announced on Monday during a handover ceremony at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, marks a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce transportation costs and promote environmental sustainability through the wider adoption of natural gas.
Speaking at the event, NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bashir Ojulari, said the initiative aligns with the company’s vision to accelerate the use of cleaner and more cost-effective energy alternatives.
“This donation is in line with NNPC Ltd’s strategic drive to support the national adoption of CNG as a cheaper and more sustainable fuel,” Ojulari stated. “We have already recorded notable progress in the areas of gas supply, infrastructure rollout, and retail distribution.”
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, lauded the gesture, describing the buses as more than mere vehicles.
“They are instruments of social equity, environmental preservation, and economic empowerment,” Ekpo said. “They reflect President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reduce petrol dependence and harness Nigeria’s abundant gas resources.”
Also speaking, Executive Vice President for Downstream, NNPC Ltd, Mumuni Dagazau, highlighted the economic benefits of switching to CNG, including lower operating costs, reduced reliance on premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil (AGO), and growth in the domestic gas market.
The Executive Vice President for Gas, Power, and New Energy at NNPC Ltd reiterated the company’s resolve to lead in the commercial rollout of CNG solutions nationwide as public interest in alternative fuels continues to grow.
Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, said the donation represents a broader vision for a more inclusive and sustainable energy future.
On his part, the Programme Coordinator and CEO of the Presidential CNG Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, hailed NNPC Ltd as a “steadfast partner,” adding that the donated buses will serve as pilot models in major Nigerian cities and provide critical insights into the future deployment of CNG vehicles across the country.
The Presidential Initiative on CNG is part of a broader national strategy to leverage natural gas as a transition fuel, lower transportation costs, and promote environmental responsibility.
