In a bold move to support Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and more affordable energy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has donated 35 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the Federal Government under the Presidential CNG Initiative.
The symbolic handover, led by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engr. Mele Kyari, and represented by Bashir Ojulari, marks a significant milestone in the country’s push towards sustainable transportation and environmental responsibility.
The donation is part of NNPCL’s ongoing support for the Federal Government’s energy transition plan aimed at deepening gas utilisation in the country. The Presidential Initiative on CNG, which is at the heart of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s clean energy vision, seeks to replace costly and carbon-intensive petrol with cleaner and cheaper natural gas alternatives, especially in public transportation.
According to NNPCL, the buses are designed to run exclusively on CNG, which will not only reduce transportation costs for commuters but also lower greenhouse gas emissions, thereby improving air quality in urban centres.
“This is a direct contribution to the national strategy on gas expansion and our commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s energy security through affordable and eco-friendly means,” said Ojulari at the handover ceremony in Abuja.
The Presidential CNG Initiative, launched in 2023, aims to convert over one million vehicles to CNG and deploy 11,500 CNG-powered buses across the country. The 35 buses donated by NNPCL will serve as a pilot fleet, helping the initiative gain momentum across federal and state transportation systems.
Industry experts have lauded the donation, stating that it signals strong public-private collaboration and sets a positive example for other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to follow.
The move comes at a time when Nigerians are grappling with high fuel prices, following the removal of petrol subsidies. With this intervention, the Federal Government hopes to alleviate the burden on citizens while accelerating its broader energy reform agenda.