Kano State has increased its compressed natural gas (CNG) refuelling stations to 12 within one year, following the commissioning of two new facilities and a vehicle conversion centre by private investor NU Synergy.
The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed this on Sunday at the commissioning ceremony in Kano, describing the expansion as evidence of the role private investment can play in widening access to alternative transport fuels.
The new facilities are located along Zaria Road and at Mariri on Wudil Road. They combine CNG refuelling services with vehicle conversion, allowing motorists to access both services at the same locations. The company also plans to expand to other areas.
Ahmed said Nigeria’s natural gas resources offered opportunities to reduce transport costs, attract investment, create jobs and develop technical skills. He cited the country’s proven gas reserves of more than 200 trillion cubic feet as a major resource for expanding domestic gas utilisation.
He recalled that NU Synergy’s promoter approached the initiative about four months earlier to explore opportunities in the CNG sector. Pi-CNG subsequently connected the investor with its operations and gas teams for technical guidance and support.
Ahmed commended the investor for completing the projects within a short period, saying the development demonstrated how private-sector participation could accelerate the expansion of refuelling infrastructure.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by government officials, traditional leaders and private-sector representatives. The Kano State commissioner for transportation represented the governor, while a representative of the Dangote Group also attended. Motorists were offered free CNG refuelling on the day of the launch.
The expansion supports the Northern Corridor activation, a programme intended to increase CNG infrastructure, vehicle conversions and investment in cleaner transport across northern Nigeria.
Wider access to refuelling stations could help address one of the barriers facing motorists and commercial transport operators considering a switch from petrol and diesel: the availability of convenient places to refuel.
However, sustained adoption will also depend on reliable gas supplies, competitive prices, safe vehicle conversions and continued investment in distribution infrastructure.
The growth in Kano’s CNG network forms part of broader federal efforts to encourage alternative fuels and reduce transport costs following changes in Nigeria’s fuel market. Pi-CNG has identified private investment and collaboration with state governments as important elements in expanding the network nationwide.
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