The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), in partnership with the Federal Government, has reiterated its commitment to advancing the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a viable, cleaner and more cost-effective fuel alternative.
The move forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy affordability, and strengthen industrial competitiveness.
At a recent webinar hosted by MEMAN, Chairman of the association, Huub Stokman, disclosed that NNPC Retail currently operates 14 CNG refueling sites across Nigeria, all recording strong demand and performance.
He noted that the success of the existing stations demonstrates clear consumer interest but emphasized the need for policy-driven actions to scale nationwide adoption.
“To scale this, we must ensure steady CNG supply, location-specific infrastructure, public education, and investor confidence,” Stokman said.
He urged the Federal Government to provide a clear and consistent policy framework that includes tax waivers, concessionary loans, and improved access to foreign exchange for stakeholders investing in CNG infrastructure.
According to him, consistent stakeholder engagement and infrastructure tailored to high-traffic locations are critical to building a sustainable CNG ecosystem.
“The CNG opportunity must not be missed. Nigeria cannot afford to let this pass if we truly want energy affordability, emission reduction, and industrial competitiveness,” he added.
Representing the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Programme Director of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi), Michael Oluwagbemi, delivered the keynote address.
He reaffirmed the administration’s stance on natural gas as the transition fuel of choice in Nigeria’s energy mix.
“Auto-CNG stands out as a cleaner and more economical alternative. However, to move from policy to performance, we must close infrastructure gaps, unlock funding, and build investor trust,” Oluwagbemi stated.
He further highlighted the Federal Government’s intention to work closely with regulators, the private sector, and development partners to unlock the full potential of the domestic gas market.
He noted that the government’s ongoing commitment is reflected in initiatives aimed at building a resilient gas economy for all Nigerians.
Also speaking at the webinar, Lukman Ayorinde Cardoso, Director and Regional Coordinator for the Southwest at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), said that Nigeria holds over 200 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven natural gas reserves, positioning the country as one of the largest gas markets globally.
Cardoso reiterated that the government’s deregulation policy, alongside critical infrastructure projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipelines, will play a key role in enabling widespread CNG adoption.
“We are working on frameworks that ensure fair market pricing while encouraging investments across power, commercial, and gas-based industries,” Cardoso said, noting that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provides the legal basis for achieving a cost-reflective pricing structure and regulatory efficiency.
Stakeholders across the gas value chain continue to advocate for a unified implementation approach, stressing that the success of Nigeria’s CNG rollout will depend on predictable regulatory policies, coordinated private-sector investment, and incentives that reduce the cost of infrastructure deployment.
MEMAN’s renewed push for collaboration and clarity comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to reduce its reliance on imported fuels and transition toward cleaner, domestically sourced energy solutions.
The association’s members have committed to deepening CNG penetration through increased investment and strategic partnerships with the government and development agencies.
