The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to convert 10 million Premium Motor Spirit vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas in the next 36 months.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, announced at the ongoing ADIPEC 2023 conference and exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Ekpo said the initiative is in partnership with the private sector, and that the ministry is working to roll out over two million CNG conversion kits for free within the next nine months.

“Our ministry is working with the organised private sector to roll out over two million CNG conversions kits for free within the next nine months to push the utilisation of CNG as main fuel for vehicles nationwide. This initiative is aimed at converting 10million vehicles from PMS to CNG in the next 36 months,” he said.

He said the initiative aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported PMS, save the government money on fuel subsidies, and reduce carbon emissions.

Ekpo also reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment in the gas sector.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is poised to promote business around Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources.

The minister listed several initiatives relating to the government’s action to promote and support gas-based industrialization and decarbonization agenda, including the Decade of Gas, getting cooking gas to every home and CNG for vehicles, gas flare commercialization program, and gas to petrochemicals.

Ekpo also informed the audience about specific policy changes targeted at gas pricing regime, non-associated gas acreage development, and review of the terms of the production sharing contracts.