President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the mandate of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to include electric vehicles, in a move aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to clean and affordable transportation.

With the approval, the initiative will now be known as the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV), and will serve as the coordinating body for the country’s clean mobility strategy.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the expanded mandate will see the initiative oversee both gas-powered and electric vehicle development, including infrastructure, financing and nationwide adoption.

The initiative will continue its existing drive to deepen the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) through the deployment of critical infrastructure such as Mother and Daughter Stations, Integrated Refuelling Units, CNG-powered vehicles and equipment, as well as nationwide vehicle conversion programmes.

It will also take on new responsibilities for the development and rollout of electric vehicles (EVs), including charging infrastructure and associated investments across the country.

The presidency said the policy shift reflects the administration’s commitment to building a transportation system that is affordable, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable.

“Gas remains a competitive and strategic fuel for transportation, leveraging Nigeria’s abundant resources to lower costs, strengthen energy security, and conserve foreign exchange,” the statement said, adding that the integration of electric vehicles would further reinforce sustainable mobility goals.

As part of the directive, the President instructed the Executive Chairman of PiCNG & EV to immediately establish a coordinated framework for the rapid deployment of vehicle conversion kits nationwide.

He said such kits must be made accessible to Nigerians at affordable rates, noting that cost should not be a barrier to adoption.

To support this, the initiative is expected to collaborate with CreditCorp Nigeria, financial institutions and other stakeholders to design flexible financing models that will enable wider access to vehicle conversion options.

In addition, the President ordered the accelerated deployment of Mobile Refuelling Units (MRUs) to expand access to CNG, particularly in areas where permanent infrastructure is still being developed.

The expanded PiCNG & EV initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to leverage Nigeria’s abundant gas resources while simultaneously embracing cleaner energy alternatives, positioning the country for a more resilient and sustainable transport future.