Petrol price hike: Tinubu orders deployment of 100,000 CNG conversion kits

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to deploy about 100,000 vehicle conversion kits nationwide.

The Executive Chairman of PiCNG, Ismael Ahmed, disclosed this after a closed-door meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

The directive is aimed at expanding access to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol.

Ahmed said the president requested an update on the progress of the initiative and measures to cushion the effects of rising global petroleum prices.

Ahmed disclosed that Tinubu was concerned about the impact of tensions in the Middle East on fuel costs.

He said: “The president wanted to know what we are doing at PiCNG to scale up the availability of gas across the country.

“He has given a direct mandate that we should immediately deploy about 100,000 conversion kits.”

Ahmed said the kits would enable vehicle owners and tricycle operators to convert their engines from petrol to CNG.

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He added that the deployment would begin within the next two to three weeks, saying: “The conversion centres across the country will be bustling with activities as we begin large-scale vehicle conversions.”

Ahmed said the initiative was also accelerating infrastructure development to support gas and electric mobility.

According to him, the government is working to expand refuelling stations and charging infrastructure across key transport corridors.

“We currently have about 77 refuelling stations at various stages of development across the country,” Ahmed stated.

He said Tinubu expects the initiative to deliver quick results that will reduce transportation costs and improve mobility for Nigerians.

The Star