By Olakunle Oke
As petrol prices continue their upward climb, a surging number of Nigerian motorists are making a strategic shift to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), embracing it as a significantly more cost-effective and safer alternative.
NewsDirect visitsd a busy conversion centre in Ikeja, Lagos where attendants confirmed the trend, highlighting the system’s affordability, efficiency, and proven safety features.
The primary attraction of CNG is the immense cost savings combined with crucial dual-fuel flexibility a necessity during periods of fuel scarcity.
“Once your engine is in good shape, you can switch easily between petrol and gas,” explained Timothy Adewale, a mechanic and attendant at the conversion centre. “If you’re travelling and there’s no gas station nearby, you can switch to petrol and continue your journey.”
Timothy noted that the cost difference is the main driver.
CNG is sold per kilogram, similar to cooking gas, and currently averages N380 per kilogram. Filling a small cylinder costs about N7,000. A larger two-cylinder system ranges between ₦14,000 and ₦18,000 for a full tank.
A single ₦7,000 fill, Timothy confidently estimates, is enough to power a car from Lagos State all the way to Ibadan, making it “far cheaper than petrol.”
This massive difference is a financial game-changer for professional drivers like Faroye Ojo, a Lagos cab driver with 15 years on the road.
“Before CNG, I was burning ₦20,000 on petrol, barely breaking even,” he shared. “Now ₦7,000 does the same job. And no more black market hustles during scarcity I’ve got options.”
Addressing common public concerns, Timothy assured motorists that CNG is inherently safe. “It’s not like cooking gas; it’s compressed and doesn’t catch fire easily,” he said, stressing that CNG is highly stable and significantly less likely to ignite compared to petrol.
Every CNG vehicle is fitted with a safety valve to release pressure when necessary. Timothy advises drivers that the only major precaution is simple: “Do not smoke inside the car.”
The cost of converting a vehicle depends on its engine type and configuration. The process typically takes between six and seven hours.
The system supports either one or two gas cylinders, depending on the car’s available boot space; SUVs like the Highlander or Hilux can easily accommodate two.
Despite the undeniable cost and safety advantages, the expansion of CNG has been hampered by low public awareness and, more critically, the limited refuelling network. Timothy admits this is the biggest challenge to mass adoption.
“From Ojo or LASU, you can’t find any station. You must come to Ikeja or along Ibafo Express Road,” he lamented. Cab driver Faroye Ojo echoed this frustration, noting, “Ibadan to Lagos is fine, but side trips? You’re hunting stations like treasure.”
“Yet, the persistent petrol scarcity has recently prompted a surge of curious car owners. “People are coming because they know the cost is not much. Those using CNG are not worried about fuel scarcity,” Timothy noted.
For now, Timothy and his team continue to attend to a growing clientele, many seeking confirmation before making the switch. “At first, people didn’t believe it’s safe. But now, more people are converting once they see how cheap and reliable it is,” he concluded.
As the federal government pushes for cleaner energy and a national energy transition, a commitment to establishing a robust network of refilling stations nationwide will be the deciding factor for CNG to significantly reduce national transportation costs and carbon emissions.