The Nigerian Presidency has addressed concerns over the safety of newly introduced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles, assuring the public that CNG is a safe and cost-effective alternative to traditional petrol-powered cars. The reassurance came from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, in response to Malaysia’s recent decision to phase out CNG vehicles by July 2025, citing safety risks.
Onanuga clarified that Malaysia’s decision primarily concerns Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles, which are associated with higher risks due to the aging of LPG tanks. Malaysia's Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, expressed concerns that these tanks could become hazardous if not replaced after 15 years. However, Onanuga pointed out that Nigeria's CNG initiative does not involve LPG, and instead focuses on CNG, which has a safer safety profile and offers an economical alternative to petrol.
Onanuga also noted that Malaysia’s own CNG program struggled, with a conversion rate of only 0.2% over 15 years due to limitations in tank manufacturing. In contrast, Nigeria has proactively developed its domestic tank manufacturing capacity, ensuring that the transition to CNG vehicles will be both safe and scalable. He emphasized that the Nigerian government has learned from the experiences of countries like India, China, and Egypt, which have seen successful transitions to CNG-powered vehicles.
The Presidency reiterated that the shift to CNG is a strategic move designed to reduce the country’s dependence on petrol, while ensuring that safety remains a top priority. This transition is part of a broader effort to promote sustainability and affordability in Nigeria’s transportation sector.
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