The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Monday donated 35 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), reaffirming its commitment to the Federal Government’s drive toward cleaner energy alternatives.
At the official handover ceremony held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, restated the company’s unwavering commitment to the national gas agenda and energy transition goals.
“This donation aligns with NNPC Ltd’s vision to support the adoption of CNG as a cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable fuel alternative,” Ojulari said, adding that significant strides have already been made in gas supply, infrastructure development, distribution, and retail expansion.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the buses as “more than just vehicles” — calling them tools of economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
“They symbolise President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in action, aimed at reducing transportation costs, decreasing petrol dependency, and utilising our natural gas wealth for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he added.
Also speaking, NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President for Downstream, Mumuni Dagazau, underscored the economic benefits of switching to CNG, such as lowering dependence on premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil (AGO), reducing costs, and stimulating growth in the domestic gas sector.
Similarly, the company’s Executive Vice President for Gas, Power, and New Energy reaffirmed NNPC Ltd’s dedication to leading the nationwide commercialisation of CNG, especially as the push for alternative fuel adoption gains traction.
In her remarks, Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, highlighted that the initiative reflects NNPC’s wider commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable energy future for Nigeria.
Also speaking, Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Coordinator and CEO of the Presidential CNG Initiative, commended NNPC Ltd for its consistent support since the programme began, describing the donation as a “significant boost” toward advancing the nation’s CNG adoption objectives.
BACKGROUND
The Presidential Initiative on CNG was introduced to reduce transportation challenges for Nigerians, support environmental sustainability, and harness the country’s abundant natural gas reserves.
The 35 donated buses will serve as pilot models for public transport systems in major cities across Nigeria.