The NNPC Mobility CNG Stakeholders Workshop 2025, held in July, brought together stakeholders from government, industry, finance, and civil society to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cleaner, safer, and more affordable alternative to petrol and diesel. Organized under the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the workshop served as a pivotal platform to evaluate Nigeria’s energy diversification strategy and position CNG as the backbone of a sustainable transport ecosystem.
At the center of the discussions was Dr. Chinedu Okeke, a Sustainable Energy and Finance Consultant who has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s CNG transition. Through his retail financing model for vehicle conversions, Dr. Okeke has pioneered pathways that make CNG adoption affordable for individual drivers and small businesses, demonstrating that clean energy can be both accessible and commercially viable.
The workshop sought to build consensus on the Federal Government’s CNG plan by promoting CNG as a practical substitute for petrol and diesel, creating safety guidelines and policy frameworks, encouraging public-private partnerships to fund infrastructure nationwide, and outlining the financial and ecological benefits of CNG-powered vehicles. These goals were reinforced through several notable achievements. Dr. Okeke delivered a keynote on the socio-economic benefits of CNG adoption, highlighting opportunities for job creation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and lower fuel costs. The workshop also facilitated a joint venture agreement for CNG and LNG expansion, particularly in strategic hubs such as Ajaokuta, laying the groundwork for large-scale gas mobility infrastructure. Stakeholders agreed on a roadmap for market growth that included the expansion of fueling stations, the adoption of global safety standards, and the development of robust regulatory oversight. In addition, successful pilot programs with transport unions were showcased, reinforcing CNG’s practicality and growing acceptance within Nigeria’s mobility ecosystem.
The discussions and agreements set the tone for a future where CNG becomes a mainstream energy source for transportation in Nigeria. Expectations include the nationwide rollout of refueling stations across major cities and highways, expansion of affordable conversion programs supported by innovative financing models, strengthened collaboration between government, financial institutions, and private investors to scale infrastructure, and the integration of world-class safety and emergency response systems to boost consumer confidence. By advancing these initiatives, Nigeria is also positioning itself as a regional leader in gas mobility solutions, with the potential to export expertise and infrastructure models to neighboring countries.
For Nigeria, the CNG initiative represents a transformative national priority with far-reaching economic and environmental benefits. Transitioning to CNG can significantly reduce the burden of fuel subsidies, freeing up public funds for infrastructure, education, and healthcare. It also offers environmental gains by cutting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, aligning Nigeria with global clean energy commitments. With abundant natural gas reserves, the shift enhances energy security by reducing reliance on imported petroleum products. Furthermore, the expansion of CNG infrastructure will create new jobs in construction, operations, maintenance, and technology manufacturing, fueling industrial growth across the nation.
Dr. Okeke’s role in the workshop underscored the importance of expert advocacy in shaping Nigeria’s energy transition. His innovative financing models and technical guidance offered practical steps to transform policy commitments into programs that directly benefit citizens. The NNPC Mobility CNG Stakeholders Workshop 2025 therefore marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable transport solutions. By aligning stakeholders around a shared vision, the workshop charted a roadmap for affordable, safe, and scalable CNG adoption.
As Nigeria embraces this transition, the contributions of leaders like Dr. Chinedu Okeke will remain vital in ensuring that clean energy adoption moves beyond policy into everyday practice for millions of drivers and businesses. More than just an energy alternative, CNG represents a pathway to economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and a cleaner future for the nation.
