By Ayomide Otitoju
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has hailed the Dangote Refinery’s plan to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks across Nigeria, describing it as a game-changing move for the nation’s energy transition and transport sector.
Speaking on the sidelines of the recently concluded West Africa Economic Summit in Abuja, PCNGI Commercial Coordinator, Tosin Coker, said the development marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s shift toward clean, affordable, and sustainable transport fuels.
“This is a landmark development and a bold vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas-powered transportation future,” Coker stated. “Dangote Group’s decision to invest in 4,000 CNG trucks is not only significant in scale but also in symbolism—it signals that CNG is not a future aspiration but a present-day solution.”
Coker revealed that the PCNGI is partnering with the Dangote Group to accelerate the adoption of CNG technology nationwide, particularly within the haulage and industrial logistics sectors. He added that regulatory support, safety standard enforcement, and technical collaboration would be at the heart of the partnership.
PCNGI, which has made significant strides in the past year, now has nearly 300 active conversion centres across at least 20 states, with the number of refuelling stations rising steadily. To ensure affordability, the initiative is working with financial institutions, including Credicorp, to roll out financing options such as the CALM Fund, enabling civil servants and other taxpaying Nigerians to spread the cost of vehicle conversion.
Coker also highlighted the safety of CNG, pointing to its widespread use in countries like India, Iran, Brazil, and Poland. “CNG cylinders are engineered for high pressure, rigorously tested, and come with multiple safety features. In case of a leak, CNG dissipates quickly—unlike petrol, which pools and ignites easily,” he explained.
To further institutionalize safety and oversight, PCNGI is developing the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS), an inter-agency regulatory and safety platform designed in partnership with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“The deployment of 4,000 CNG trucks by Dangote aligns with our vision to mainstream gas-powered mobility,” Coker said. “This initiative not only enhances energy security and reduces emissions but also signals that Nigeria is serious about transitioning to a cleaner transport economy.”
The Dangote Group recently confirmed its investment in the fleet of CNG-powered tankers, reaffirming its commitment to energy innovation and sustainability in logistics.
