Kano State has expanded its compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure to 12 refuelling stations within one year, following the commissioning of two NU Synergy facilities and a vehicle conversion centre, in a development expected to improve access to cheaper alternative fuel for motorists and commercial transport operators.
The expansion marks a significant shift in the state’s clean energy transportation drive, which has gathered momentum following the activation of the Northern Corridor under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV).
Speaking at the commissioning, Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Pi-CNG & EV, said the investment demonstrated how private-sector participation could accelerate the development of Nigeria’s alternative fuel market and create opportunities for employment, technical skills development and business expansion.
Ahmed argued that Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources offered the country an opportunity to reduce transportation costs by gradually shifting from petrol and diesel to more affordable energy alternatives.
“The future belongs to cheaper energy sources for transportation. It is difficult to achieve that with PMS and diesel,” he said.
He added that Nigeria has more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, stressing that increased domestic utilisation of the resource could help lower transport expenses and strengthen the country’s energy security.
“Nigeria is a gas country, not an oil country. We have over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas,” Ahmed said.
The Pi-CNG & EV chairman described the emergence of NU Synergy as an example of how quickly private investors could respond to opportunities in the country’s evolving clean mobility sector.
According to him, the promoter of NU Synergy approached the initiative about four months before the commissioning to explore investment opportunities in the CNG market.
Ahmed said the investor was subsequently connected with the initiative’s operations and gas teams for guidance and technical support, leading to the establishment of the new facilities in Kano.
“Four months later, this is the story. He is commissioning a CNG station in Kano,” he said.
He commended the investor for translating the initial discussions into completed infrastructure, describing the project as the type of private-sector commitment needed to expand CNG adoption across Nigeria.
The new facilities are located along Zaria Road and at Mariri along Wudil Road. They combine CNG refuelling services with vehicle conversion facilities, allowing motorists to access both fuel and conversion services within the same network.
The company is also planning further expansion to other locations, according to information provided at the commissioning.
The development comes as Nigeria seeks to broaden the use of CNG as an alternative to petrol and diesel amid concerns about transportation costs and the affordability of mobility for households and businesses.
For Kano, the increase in refuelling facilities could help address one of the challenges facing motorists interested in converting their vehicles to run on gas: the availability of convenient refuelling points.
Commercial transport operators and fleet managers stand to benefit from an expanding network, particularly where the cost of gas-powered operations compares favourably with conventional fuels. However, the extent of the savings will depend on prevailing fuel prices, conversion costs, vehicle suitability and the availability of reliable gas supplies.
The commissioning was attended by government officials, traditional leaders and private-sector representatives, including Kano State’s commissioner for transportation, who represented the state governor, the Hakimi of the host local government area and a representative of the Dangote Group.
As part of activities marking the launch, motorists were offered free CNG refuelling for the day.
The expansion also advances the objectives of the Northern Corridor initiative, which seeks to develop CNG infrastructure, encourage vehicle conversions and attract investments in cleaner transportation across northern Nigeria.
Beyond adding new refuelling points, the growth of the network will require sustained investment in gas supply, technical expertise, equipment maintenance and safety standards to ensure that the facilities can meet increasing demand.
With Kano’s CNG network rising from virtually no significant refuelling infrastructure to 12 stations within a year, the state is emerging as an important market in the expansion of gas-powered transportation in northern Nigeria.
