Fears that compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders could explode are slowing the adoption of the fuel in Nigeria, according to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG/EV).
Its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed this in Abuja when members of the CNG/EV Users Forum paid a courtesy visit to his office, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Ahmed said misconceptions about CNG safety remained a major challenge to wider adoption, even as the government seeks to expand the fuel as a cheaper alternative for transportation and attract investment across its supply and distribution chain.
Ahmed specifically identified misconceptions about CNG cylinders and fears over their safety as major barriers to wider adoption. He said changing Nigerians’ perception and energy habits would take time and require sustained public awareness.
Ahmed said CNG had existed for more than two decades globally and for more than 10 years in Nigeria, but its development had largely been private sector-led and limited in scope.
He said the current administration had provided the political backing needed to make CNG a national project, adding that Nigeria had the resources and technology required to develop the industry but needed to create demand while ensuring adequate supply.
Ahmed said investors needed to commit funds to CNG infrastructure to ensure consumers could access the fuel after converting their vehicles. He explained that the CNG value chain covers gas production and processing, transportation, compression and distribution, with investment also required for pipelines, compression stations, daughter stations, land acquisition, licensing and filling stations.
Government alone cannot finance the entire value chain because it requires huge investments and competes with other national priorities.
Ahmed said affordability could not be separated from availability, noting that a cheaper product that was difficult to access would lose its economic advantage.
Nigerians spend between 15% and 25% of their income on transportation, depending on their location and mode of transport.
Ahmed cited a vehicle owner travelling between Kano and Karai who previously spent about N300,000 weekly on petrol but now spends about N22,000 on CNG after conversion. The conversion cost about N1.5 million, according to him.
Ahmed stressed that such savings should ultimately benefit passengers and other users of commercial transportation. He also said CNG was not intended to immediately replace petrol and diesel, as Nigeria would continue to use a mix of CNG, electric vehicles, petrol and diesel.
Safety concerns are common among vehicle owners considering CNG conversion, but experts previously interviewed by Nairametrics said properly installed, maintained and operated CNG systems are safe.
Chandra said CNG cylinders are made from reinforced materials designed to withstand extreme conditions, while Joseph said CNG kits have gauges for monitoring pressure levels.
CNG is also lighter than air, so leaked gas tends to disperse rather than pool around a vehicle like petrol, while pressure-release valves and automatic shut-off sensors help manage leaks and irregularities.
The experts stressed that regular inspection and maintenance are essential for safety and performance.
He noted that actual mileage varies with vehicle type, engine condition, modifications and gas pressure at dispensing stations.
The Federal Government introduced the Presidential CNG Initiative in 2023 as part of its response to the removal of the petrol subsidy, with plans to expand vehicle conversion and CNG refuelling infrastructure nationwide.
Transport companies are similarly turning to CNG as a lower-cost alternative to petrol as rising fuel costs put pressure on their operating expenses.
