Prof. Umar Katsayal, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, says Nigeria stands to achieve major environmental and economic gains if the country fully embraces Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to petrol.
Katsayal stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during the Autogas Nigeria Annual Conference, held in commemoration of the 2024 World Sustainable Transport Day. The event drew policymakers, transport operators, engineers, academics, renewable energy advocates and industry regulators. He was represented by the institution’s librarian, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmadu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference theme, “CNG for All: Powering Nigeria’s Sustainable Future,” served as a rallying point for discussions on clean energy transition, transport sector innovation and the role of gas in reducing national dependence on petrol.
Environmental Gains of CNG
Katsayal said Nigeria could significantly reduce environmental degradation and air pollution by transitioning from petrol-driven vehicles to CNG-powered engines. He explained that petrol emissions currently contribute to widespread environmental and health challenges, particularly in overcrowded cities such as Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Abuja.
According to him, CNG is a much cleaner-burning fuel, with emissions far below what petrol releases into the atmosphere. He emphasised that CNG vehicles produce substantially lower levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide — all of which are associated with lung disease, poor air quality, and other public health concerns.
He added that carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 20 to 30 per cent, depending on fuel quality, conversion systems and the vehicle type.
Economic Benefits and Transport Cost Reduction
Beyond environmental advantages, Katsayal highlighted the financial value of committing to clean energy. He said widespread adoption of CNG would help cut transport fares and reduce the cost of moving goods and people across the country.
He explained that petrol prices — which have remained high since the removal of subsidy — continue to put pressure on citizens and businesses. Adopting CNG, he said, would help stabilise the transportation sector, improve affordability, and promote long-term economic stability.
According to Katsayal, the shift toward gas-powered vehicles would also expand opportunities in the domestic gas sector, deepen local content, generate new jobs, and stimulate investment in conversion centres, refuelling stations, spare parts production and technical services.
CNG as a Tool, Not a Final Solution
The Vice-Chancellor cautioned that although CNG represented a major step toward sustainability, it should not be viewed as the ultimate solution to Nigeria’s long-term energy transition goals.
He said the country must see CNG as a bridge fuel — an accessible, affordable alternative capable of easing national reliance on petrol while paving the way for more advanced renewable energy solutions in the future.
He described CNG as a “strategic opportunity to reduce immediate pressure on citizens, diversify energy sources and build resilience in the transportation sector.”
Federal Government’s Position
The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, also addressed participants, reaffirming that the Federal Government had made strong commitments toward prioritising natural gas as Nigeria’s primary transition fuel.
Abdullahi said Nigeria, which holds one of the largest gas reserves in Africa, is well-positioned to develop a robust gas-powered transport industry that could support cleaner mobility and greater energy autonomy.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for creating the National CNG Initiative shortly after fuel subsidy removal. According to him, the initiative accelerated the rollout of gas-powered buses, conversion kits, and training programmes for technicians, thereby restoring citizens’ confidence in gas usage as a reliable and cheaper transport option.
He further noted that expanding gas adoption would help the government reduce the nation’s dependence on imported fuel, conserve foreign exchange, and strengthen energy security.
Nigeria’s Readiness to Lead Africa
In her remarks, the Managing Director of Autogas Nigeria, Hajiya Maryam Ibrahim, said Nigeria had the potential to become a continental leader in gas-powered mobility if the country sustained its current momentum.
She explained that gas adoption fits squarely into the Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting affordability, improving quality of life, and empowering communities through cleaner, more reliable transport options.
According to her, the support from government agencies, private sector partners, and technical experts remains the “powerful fuel driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition.”
She highlighted that the shift to CNG would not only reduce transportation costs but also strengthen energy security, promote local manufacturing and support inclusive economic growth for millions of Nigerians.
A Call for Collective Action
Throughout the conference, speakers emphasised that Nigeria’s clean energy transition would only succeed if government agencies, private organisations, investors, transport unions, and citizens all played active roles in sustaining gas adoption efforts.