The Nigerian Presidency has assured the public of the safety of its recently introduced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles, emphasizing that CNG is a secure and cost-effective alternative to traditional petrol.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, said this in a statement he issued following Malaysia’s announcement of a planned phase-out of CNG vehicles by mid-2025 due to concerns over aging CNG tanks, which may pose risks after 15 years.
Onanuga clarified on social media platform X that Malaysia’s decision primarily relates to the safety of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), not CNG. He pointed out that certain Malaysian vehicles were retrofitted with LPG tanks, which present different risks, whereas Nigeria has specifically opted for CNG due to its reliability and affordability.
Unlike Malaysia, which struggled to scale CNG adoption due to limited manufacturing capacity, Nigeria has proactively developed domestic tank manufacturing to ensure safety and support widespread adoption.
This approach mirrors successful CNG programs in nations like India, China, and Egypt. The Presidency reiterated that Nigeria’s CNG transition is a strategic step toward sustainable energy, aiming to reduce petrol dependence while ensuring public safety.
