The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has reported a remarkable 2,500% increase in the nation’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion capacity in 2024.
Farouk Ahmed, the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, revealed this on Thursday during the inaugural Petroleum Industry Stakeholders’ Forum organized by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Abuja.
According to Ahmed, NMDPRA has significantly supported the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) by enabling the establishment of 186 new conversion centers. This expansion has propelled Nigeria’s CNG conversion capacity and the development of infrastructure in key cities.
“NMDPRA is collaborating with PCNGI to deploy CNG infrastructure in Lagos and Abuja, targeting 100,000 vehicle conversions. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to develop Nigeria Gas Vehicles (NGVs) in other regions,” Ahmed stated.
He noted that these conversions, combined with new vehicle acquisitions, have increased the NGV population to an estimated 30,000–50,000 vehicles. Furthermore, with over $400 million in investments, the number of refueling stations has grown from 20 to 56, with more under construction.
The NMDPRA, alongside the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has developed new standards and plans to launch the NGV Monitoring System this year. Ahmed also highlighted collaborations with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the National Institute of Transportation Technology (NITT) to ensure sustainable CNG growth.
However, challenges persist. Ahmed pointed out issues such as unlicensed petroleum facilities, inadequate collaboration for open access to facilities, and resistance from some operators to effective regulatory oversight.
“As we move into 2025, NMDPRA will focus on enhancing regulatory oversight, upgrading laboratories for product quality, increasing inter-agency collaborations, and ensuring sustainability within the industry,” Ahmed assured.
