CNG Adoption Halted by Scarcity and Queues in Nigeria

Commercial drivers in Nigeria are enjoying significant savings on fuel costs by switching to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), but are hampered by scarcity of dispensing stations and long queues. A tricycle operator at NNPC Ashade Junction, Agege, Boluwatife Ojo, said CNG is a 'lifeline' for commercial drivers due to its affordability.

Ojo noted that while petrol sells for between N1,250 and N1,310 per litre, CNG costs about N380 per unit, making it cheaper. He spends around N1,700 to fill his tricycle with CNG in the morning, compared to N7,000 spent by a petrol-powered operator.

Another CNG user, Taiwo Enitan, lamented the poor availability of the fuel, saying there are only two gas stations available in Agege. He identified low gas pressure during refilling as another challenge faced by CNG users, noting that weak pressure can reduce the quantity of gas dispensed.

e-hailing driver Michael Edomioyo highlighted the high upfront cost of converting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG and inadequate dispensing stations as major challenges. He also noted that drivers lose productive hours while waiting in queues, which sometimes take between two and three hours.