A lot more Nigerians are rushing to change their vehicles from petrol and diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG).

The Nigerian government has made the service free and subsidised for commercial vehicles and inaugurated several centres all over the country.

According to reports, conversion centres in the country are witnessing rising demand from vehicle owners.

An attendant at a CNG centre in Lagos stated: “People are desperate. Petrol is almost N1,000 per litre. We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of vehicles coming in to refill their tanks in recent weeks."

Taxi driver, Johnson Ademola, also stated that since he made the change to his vehicle, he has been making more profit after work every day.

Ademola said: "I was spending a fortune on petrol. I had to take out funds from my savings for the conversion. Although it was very expensive, now with CNG, I’m saving a lot more."

Another commercial driver, Kunle, at the CNG station, added: “The initial cost of conversion is high, but it’s worth it in the long run.”

The conversion process however does not come without challenges.

The conversion cost, ranges from N700,000 to N1.8 million.

Additionally, the limited number of conversion centres and refuelling stations poses logistical difficulties.