... Calls for stronger investment, media partnership and infrastructure expansion at Nigeria Auto Industry Summit
The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, has said Nigeria’s transition to clean mobility is central to reducing transportation costs, strengthening energy security and driving sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), Ahmed said clean mobility has evolved from a future aspiration into a key component of the Federal Government’s transport and energy strategy under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Delivering the keynote address on the theme, “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration”, Ahmed said the Presidential Initiative was established to coordinate the country’s transition to cleaner transportation by building a robust ecosystem for compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles (EVs).
According to him, the Initiative’s mandate extends beyond promoting alternative fuels to developing investment opportunities, expanding infrastructure, supporting vehicle conversion, strengthening local manufacturing, enhancing technical skills and boosting consumer confidence.
He explained that the Initiative was conceived following the removal of fuel subsidy to provide Nigerians with a practical and more affordable transportation alternative through the utilisation of the country’s abundant natural gas resources.
“From the outset, our approach has been to build the foundations of a sustainable industry rather than pursue isolated interventions”, Ahmed said, noting that the Initiative has worked closely with regulators, investors, vehicle manufacturers, conversion companies, financial institutions, development partners, transport unions and state governments.
Highlighting achievements recorded over the past two years, he said the country’s CNG ecosystem has expanded significantly, with more certified conversion centres established nationwide and refuelling infrastructure growing through public and private sector investments.
He added that vehicle conversions have continued to increase as commercial transport operators and private motorists embrace the cost-saving benefits of CNG, while thousands of technicians have been trained to ensure safe and professional conversion services.
Ahmed also disclosed that the Initiative has forged strategic partnerships with financial institutions, vehicle manufacturers, energy companies and state governments to improve access to financing, encourage infrastructure investment and accelerate the adoption of clean mobility solutions.
On technology, he said the introduction of the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System would strengthen transparency, regulatory oversight, safety standards and consumer confidence across the conversion industry.
While acknowledging the rapid progress made in CNG adoption, Ahmed stressed that the Initiative remains equally committed to advancing electric mobility, saying Nigeria’s long-term transport future would be driven by multiple clean-energy technologies.
He said the government is engaging manufacturers, investors and development partners on electric vehicle deployment, charging infrastructure, local assembly and policy reforms needed to stimulate market growth.
Despite the gains, Ahmed identified infrastructure expansion, consumer financing, local manufacturing, technical training, research, innovation and standardisation as critical areas requiring sustained attention.
He emphasised that addressing these challenges would require continued collaboration among government, investors, manufacturers, transport operators, financial institutions, development partners and the media.
Describing the media as a strategic stakeholder, Ahmed urged members of the NAJA to deepen public education on clean mobility by highlighting its economic benefits, safety standards, investment opportunities and emerging technologies.
“The transition to clean mobility is as much an information challenge as it is an infrastructure challenge. Public understanding influences public acceptance, while market confidence is built on accurate, timely and responsible information”, he said.
He pledged that the Initiative would strengthen engagement with journalists through regular technical briefings, industry dialogues and improved access to reliable data to counter misinformation and promote informed public discourse.
Looking ahead, Ahmed said Pi-CNG & EV would continue expanding CNG infrastructure nationwide, strengthen the regulatory framework, support local manufacturing and vehicle conversion capacity, deepen financing partnerships and work with stakeholders to build a commercially viable and sustainable clean mobility ecosystem.
He noted that the ultimate measure of success would not be the number of conversion centres or refuelling stations established, but the extent to which clean mobility lowers transport costs, creates jobs, stimulates industrial growth, enhances energy security and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.
Ahmed commended the NAJA for providing a platform for constructive dialogue, saying sustained collaboration between government, industry and the media would be critical to shaping the future of mobility in Nigeria.