Opportunities for CNG-Based Transportation Programme in Nigeria

March 22, 2023

There is considerable interest in implementing a compressed natural gas (CNG) programme for city-based transportation systems and to leverage and harness locally available natural gas in Nigeria. Both energy security concerns and the need to mitigate local air pollution and reduce exposure to vehicular emissions underpin this interest. This can help to reduce dependence on fuel imports as well as cut down toxic emissions from a large ageing vehicle fleet running on diesel and gasoline. Currently, the Government of Nigeria is assessing the implementation and expansion of the natural gas programme in different sectors. From that perspective, the Federal Ministry of Transportation that is responsible for framing the policies related to transportation systems, especially public transport strategies in Nigeria, has begun evaluation of the CNG strategy for application in city-based transportation. 

In view of the fact that India has considerable experience in establishing CNG programmes for city-based transportation systems, the Federal Ministry of Transportation has collaborated with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) to inculcate the learnings from Indian cities and assess the local imperatives of Nigeria to chalk out the roadmap for implementation of this programme. This is also supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria, that is working on the framework for clean air action plans and has initiated deliberations on clean fuels and CNG. CSE is also contributing to that process. 

This assessment therefore captures the status of the policy action on CNG in Nigeria and the learning from the CNG programmes in Indian cities. This has primarily focussed on the experience of the capital city of Delhi in India that has implemented one of the largest CNG programmes in the country. In addition, this assessment has also reviewed the current imperatives of Nigeria that can help to shape implementation strategies in the cities of Nigeria. Based on this assessment, pathways have been reviewed that include the need for regulatory mandate; emissions and safety regulations for new technology and technology pathways; plans for city gas distribution systems and refuelling networks; quality control of vehicle conversion; and fiscal strategies and emissions benefits to inform policy development.