The Traffic

P-CNGI to Build Massive CNG Manufacturing Park in Kogi—Here’s What It Means for Nigeria

By Achimi Muktar

In a major push toward energy self-sufficiency and affordability, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) has unveiled plans to establish a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Manufacturing Park in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

The initiative, in partnership with private sector investors, is set to boost local manufacturing of CNG kits, reduce dependence on imported fuel alternatives, and drive down energy costs nationwide.

Why Kogi? The Strategic Hub for Nigeria’s Gas Future

According to P-CNGI Programme Director, Michael Oluwagbemi, the decision to establish the CNG Manufacturing Park in Kogi is strategic—Ajaokuta sits at the heart of Nigeria, bordering 10 states, making it an ideal distribution hub for compressed natural gas across the country.

This announcement was made during the flag-off ceremony for five Mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plants in Ajaokuta on Thursday.

A New Era for Nigeria’s Gas Industry

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), alongside private partners, has already begun constructing five mini-LNG plants, with a combined gas processing capacity of 97 million standard cubic feet per day.

These plants will play a crucial role in the Federal Government’s Gas Revolution Agenda (GRA), ensuring more industries and households across Northern Nigeria have access to cheaper and cleaner energy alternatives.

CNG Expansion: More Vehicles, More Stations, More Jobs

Oluwagbemi highlighted that since 2023, P-CNGI has championed CNG mobility, pushing for it as a cheaper, more efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to petrol.

So far, Nigeria has:

✅ 190+ CNG conversion centres

✅ 56 CNG retail outlets

✅ Over $470 million in public-private investments

But that’s just the beginning. By the end of 2025, the goal is to expand to:

🔹 500+ CNG conversion centres

🔹 150+ retail outlets dispensing CNG

This expansion will create thousands of jobs, lower transportation costs, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on expensive petrol imports.

Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Pipeline: The Game Changer

The upcoming Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipeline is set to be a major boost for this initiative, ensuring steady gas supply to power industries, households, and vehicles in Northern Nigeria.

Oluwagbemi praised the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and NNPC’s Group CEO, Malam Mele Kyari, for driving Nigeria’s gas transformation agenda.

What This Means for Nigerians

The new CNG Manufacturing Park and mini-LNG plants are set to:

🔹 Lower fuel costs for motorists

🔹 Reduce reliance on petrol and diesel

🔹 Boost local manufacturing & create thousands of jobs

🔹 Expand Nigeria’s gas infrastructure and economy

With Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves, this project could position the country as a leader in CNG production and distribution across Africa.

The big question remains: Will this finally mark the beginning of the end for petrol dependency in Nigeria? Nigerians are watching closely.