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The National Compressed Natural Gas Forum (NCNG-F) has called on transport unions, organised labour and private-sector operators to convert their backing for CNG into measurable adoption.
National Chairman of the forum, Faruk Abdullahi, made the call at the opening of the National CNG Adoption Conference Strategic Stakeholders’ Meeting Tuesday in Abuja.
“Our task today is to move from awareness to adoption, from policy to implementation, and from individual efforts to coordinated national action,” he said.
Abdullahi said the removal of the fuel subsidy had “fundamentally altered the cost structure of transportation and production,” increasing pressure on households and businesses, and made the case for CNG as a cheaper alternative.
He, however, cautioned against complacency. “The availability of natural gas resources does not automatically translate into widespread adoption,” he said, adding that users would convert only if CNG was accessible, affordable, safe and reliable.
He urged transport unions to educate members, identify vehicles suitable for conversion, link operators to credible conversion centres, explore group conversion arrangements and engage financial institutions on affordable financing. Unions, he said, could also negotiate collective deals with providers and organise pilot programmes.
Abdullahi stressed that members should not be compelled to convert without adequate information.
Organised labour, he said, should promote informed adoption because energy costs directly affect workers’ welfare and purchasing power.
On industry players, he called on marketers, gas suppliers and conversion centres to build public confidence through reliable service, transparent pricing, quality installations and adherence to safety standards. Investors and financial institutions were asked to develop financing models that spare individuals and fleet owners prohibitive upfront costs.
Outlining three priorities, he listed mobilisation through unions and organisations; practical solutions to barriers, including conversion costs, access to refuelling stations, financing, public awareness and safety concerns; and clear commitments backed by coordinated implementation.
He proposed that each participating organisation designate a CNG focal person, run an internal awareness programme, identify likely beneficiaries and, where possible, set indicative adoption targets starting with pilot groups or fleets, with progress reported through an agreed coordination mechanism.
“The success of this initiative will not be measured by the number of meetings we hold,” Abdullahi said. It would instead be judged by “the number of vehicles converted safely,” operators who benefit economically, infrastructure provided and investments mobilised.
He also announced a proposed National CNG Road Show to demonstrate collective commitment and build public confidence, and said the Maiden National CNG Summit holds on October 29, 2026.
“The responsibility for delivering this national objective belongs to all of us,” he said.
In her remarks, Conversion Manager of Pi-CNG and EV, Adaugo Uzogara, disclosed that established over 500 conversion centres and more than 90 refuelling stations across 25 states since the initiative began in May 2023.
According to Uzogara, continued collaboration would carry CNG to all 36 states, offer cleaner, cheaper and safer energy while at the same time create employment-both direct and indirect jobs.
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