Nigeria has taken a decisive step toward deepening its gas utilisation drive as the Federal Government officially launched the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS) a digital platform designed to ensure safety, compliance, and transparency across the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) value chain.
Unveiled in Abuja on Thursday by Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), the system forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Presidential Initiative on CNG (PiCNG) and accelerate the transition from petrol to cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.
Ensuring Safety and Accountability in CNG Conversion
Speaking at the event, Ekpo emphasised that the NGVMS is not just a monitoring tool but a regulatory milestone aimed at protecting lives and property while reinforcing public trust in the nation’s growing CNG ecosystem.
He explained that the system will track vehicles from the point of conversion to refuelling, ensuring that only accredited facilities and certified kits are used. This, he said, would prevent substandard conversions and reduce the risk of accidents linked to unauthorised installations.
“This initiative marks a critical phase in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Decade of Gas Programme. Our goal is to make CNG the affordable, safe, and sustainable energy choice for Nigerians,” Ekpo said.
The NGVMS, according to the minister, will also serve as a data-driven compliance platform for regulators, enabling real-time oversight of CNG usage nationwide.
Private Sector Investment Gaining Momentum
Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, disclosed that over $1 billion in private capital has been injected into Nigeria’s CNG value chain since the initiative took off.
He said this growing confidence from investors underscores the viability of the CNG market and aligns with the government’s target to cut transport costs and reduce emissions.
“By year-end, more conversion and refuelling stations will come on stream across the country,” Ahmed revealed, noting that the PiCNG is now one of Africa’s fastest-growing clean energy initiatives.
Transport Unions Hail Tinubu’s CNG Drive
Leaders of major transport unions present at the event commended the Tinubu administration for prioritising the CNG agenda, which they described as a lifeline for transport operators since the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023.
They highlighted that the PiCNG programme has already distributed over one million free CNG kits, buses, and tricycles (Keke) to members, drastically cutting operating costs and helping stabilise commodity prices in markets.
However, the union leaders appealed to the government to expand CNG stations nationwide and prioritise commercial vehicles in future allocations.
“The benefits are clear, but access remains limited to only a few states. We urge the Federal Government to scale up this project so that all Nigerians can enjoy the savings,” a union representative stated.
Turning Gas Potential into Prosperity
Nigeria, with over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, is positioning CNG as the cornerstone of its domestic energy transition, aiming to replace petrol and diesel in transportation and industry.
The launch of NGVMS, analysts say, reflects a policy shift from rhetoric to implementation, bridging safety, affordability, and sustainability.
As the nation races to unlock the full potential of its gas resources, the monitoring system signals the government’s determination to ensure that Nigeria’s gas wealth translates into economic prosperity not just for the industry, but for the everyday commuter.
