President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to include electric vehicles, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s clean energy transportation strategy.

With the new directive, the initiative will now be known as the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV).

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled, “President Tinubu approves expansion of PiCNG mandate to include electric vehicles.”

According to the statement, the expanded initiative will coordinate Nigeria’s clean mobility agenda, covering both gas-powered and electric vehicles nationwide.

Broader Clean Mobility Strategy

The programme will continue to drive the deployment of CNG infrastructure, including Mother and Daughter Stations, Integrated Refuelling Units, and nationwide vehicle conversion schemes.

In addition, the new mandate will oversee the development and rollout of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and related investments across the country.

President Tinubu also directed the leadership of PiCNG & EV to immediately establish a coordinated process for the rapid deployment of vehicle conversion kits nationwide, ensuring affordability for Nigerians.

To support this, the initiative will collaborate with CreditCorp Nigeria, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to design accessible financing models for vehicle conversions.

The President further ordered the accelerated rollout of Mobile Refuelling Units to improve access to compressed natural gas while permanent infrastructure continues to expand.

Push for Affordable and Cleaner Energy

The Federal Government noted that gas remains a strategic and cost-effective fuel for transportation, given Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet.

The inclusion of electric vehicles is expected to enhance the country’s push for affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly mobility solutions.

Originally launched in 2023 following the removal of petrol subsidies, the Presidential CNG Initiative aims to reduce transportation costs and promote cleaner energy alternatives.

So far, the programme has facilitated the deployment of CNG conversion centres and refuelling stations nationwide, with a target of converting one million vehicles to run on compressed natural gas.