For almost two months, businessman Tunde Emmanuel’s vehicle has been running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Unfazed by explosion rumors surrounding CNG, he went ahead with the conversion to cut down on high fuel costs. Having used it several years ago, he was confident in its safety.
“I use ₦5,000 daily to fill my 65-liter CNG cylinder, and it lasts all day, compared to when I would spend about ₦15,000 on petrol,” Emmanuel told The Record. “I love the convenience, if I want to switch to petrol, I can do it easily, and vice versa.”
Mr. Emmanuel is one of the beneficiaries of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG), a palliative intervention by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. Through this initiative, he converted his Toyota Camry at Portland Gas Limited in Ojota at no cost.
@ikejarecord Lagos just took a bold step toward a cleaner, more affordable future for transportation! At Portland Gas Limited in Ojota, commercial drivers can now convert their vehicles to CNG for free. With fuel costs dropping and air quality improving, is this the future of mobility in Lagos? Would you make the switch? #CNGNigeria #FuelSavings #LagosTransportation #cnginlagos #cng ♬ original sound – Ikeja Record
Lagos State’s Role in CNG Adoption
On September 12, 2024, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced an opportunity for residents to convert their vehicles to CNG for free. The program, tagged Operation First Come, First Serve, was held in six designated centers, including Autogig, MBH Power, Dana Motors, Mezovest, Femadec, and Portland Gas. The first 50 vehicles that passed the necessary inspections at each location received free conversion kits.
Beyond these immediate interventions, Lagos State has a long-term plan to transition vehicles to CNG. On March 3, 2025, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed during the launch of Portland Gas Limited’s CNG mobile refill unit in Ojota that the state aims to convert 400,000 petrol-powered vehicles to CNG by 2028, Daily Trust Newspaper reported.
To support this shift, the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, announced that 2,000 vehicles within the state fleet would be converted by the second quarter of 2025.
Portland Gas Limited and its CNG Conversion Process
As Lagos moves toward cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives, Portland Gas Limited has become a major player in CNG conversion. While the government covers the cost for commercial buses, private vehicle owners have to bear the cost, which ranges between ₦1 million and ₦1.2 million depending on the cylinder size.
The free conversion process at Portland Gas follows strict procedures:
- Authorized applicants – The free conversion process at Portland Gas is strictly regulated. Only commercial vehicles registered with RTEAN, NURTW, or those with commercial plate numbers are eligible.
- Vehicle Inspection – Only four-plug, six-plug, and eight-plug engines qualify for conversion, with different CNG cylinder sizes based on capacity.
- Document Submission – Applicants provide their National Identity Number (NIN) and other identification.
- Registration & Approval – Portland Gas submits vehicle details to Abuja for verification.
- Conversion & Installation – Upon approval, the CNG kit is installed, allowing vehicles to run on compressed natural gas.
“For commercial buses, we convert up to six vehicles per day, while private cars see fewer conversions due to the cost,” an official at Portland Gas said.
Addressing CNG Myths and Safety Concerns
Despite the growing interest in CNG, misconceptions about its safety persist. Portland Gas Chief Technical Officer, Daro Imoukhuede, explained that safety concerns stem from improper installations rather than the technology itself.
“What we are putting in is compressed natural gas, and because it’s compressed, the cylinder has to be thick to withstand the pressure,” Imoukhuede said. “The real danger comes when unqualified mechanics or welders modify household gas cylinders for CNG use. If you use a cooking gas cylinder instead of a CNG cylinder, it will explode.”
To ensure safety, Portland Gas conducts thorough checks. “If you come to buy gas from us, we open your boot—we want to see the cylinder. In some places, they just fill your car without checking. Just by looking at the cylinder, we know what it can take,” Imoukhuede said.
Why CNG Is a Better Alternative
Beyond cost savings, Imoukhuede shared some other advantages which CNG offers over petrol.
According to the CTO, it burns cleaner, unlike petrol, which leaves residue that darkens engine oil. This minimal residue also extends the life of engine oil, reducing maintenance costs. He said CNG-powered cars emit less smoke, making them more environmentally friendly. With cleaner combustion, engines experience less wear and tear, allowing them to last longer and require fewer repair
“Your engine oil will last longer, and you will hardly see smoke. It’s good for the environment,” Imoukhuede said.
Challenges and the Future of CNG in Lagos
One of the biggest hurdles to widespread CNG adoption is cost. While the government is focused on commercial buses, private individuals must bear the conversion expenses themselves.
Despite these challenges, Lagos is pushing ahead with CNG adoption. With lower running costs, longer engine life, and reduced environmental impact, CNG is emerging as a viable alternative to petrol.
However, the speed of adoption among private car owners may depend on whether the government extends financial support. For now, Portland Gas remains at the forefront of this transition, ensuring safe conversions and educating Lagosians about the benefits of CNG.