The Federal Executive Council chaired by President Bola Tinubu has mandated all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to henceforth, procure only vehicles and generators powered by Compressed Natural Gas.
The Federal Government also expects the MDAs to begin converting all petrol or diesel-powered vehicles or generators to CNG.
The new directive is “in line with his commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility, and cut high fuel costs,” a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, read on Monday.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu directs mandatory procurement of CNG-Powered vehicles.’
Monday’s directive was one of the major decisions reached by the council before it adjourned its four-hour proceedings till yesterday, May 14.
According to Ngelale, it is also “in furtherance of Nigeria’s effort to transition to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers.”
It was gathered that the new order affects new requests by Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, an agency of the Marine and Blue Economy which had sought approval to buy several hundreds of petrol-powered operational vehicles.
Also, a request by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to procure petrol-powered generators was also approved but on the condition that the contracts be reviewed to CNG or solar-powered generators.
Ngelale revealed that Tinubu asked Council members seeking the purchase of traditional petrol-dependent vehicles to “go back and diligently seek value-driven procurements of CNG-compliant vehicles.”
Addressing members of the Federal Executive Council at the State House on Monday, President Tinubu affirmed, “This nation will not progress forward if we continue to dance on the same spot.
“We have the will to drive the implementation of CNG adoption across the country, and we must set the example as public officials in leading the way to that prosperous future that we are working to achieve for our people.
“It starts with us, and in seeing that we are serious, Nigerians will follow our lead.”
He also expressed his commitments to effectively harness the nation’s gas potential, alleviating the burden of high transportation costs on the masses while enhancing the standard of living of all Nigerians.
Monday’s decision comes three weeks after the Presidency announced plans to roll out 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles to slash transportation costs before May 29, when President Bola Tinubu turns one year in office.
In October 2023, about five months after the removal of the petrol subsidy, President Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative to deliver cheaper, safer and more climate-friendly energy.
The CNG Initiative was designed to deliver compressed natural gas, especially for mass transit.
The Federal Government earmarked N100bn (part of the N500bn palliative budget) to purchase 5500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 Electric buses and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, with plans to develop CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations nationwide.
The government had said the initiative would ease the burden of the increased pump price on the masses.
The administration plans to roll out about 800 CNG buses, 4000 CNG tricycles and 100 electric buses in the first phase in the next few weeks.
The Federal Government said it is signalling its readiness for energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy, adding that its policy will unlock new investments in renewable energy, solar panels and lithium batteries.

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria , Mr Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, says Japan remains firmly committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to create a safe and secured environment for all its citizens.
The ambassador made the commitment at the inauguration of project 2024, at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre(MLAILPKC) Jaji .
The Tide’s source reports that the project was executed in collaboration with the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Kazuyoshi, who spoke virtually, said the project exemplified that commitment, adding, “we believe it will make a significant contribution to achieving that goal.
“One crucial aspect of building lasting peace is ensuring the active participation of women. Women are not just victims of conflicts, they are perfect agents for peace.”
According to the envoy, over the decades, Nigeria has been confronted by insurgency and terrorist attacks particularly from Boko Haram in the North-East.
He said, “These acts of violence had devastated lives and communities causing loss of lives and properties, mass displacement and significant economic losses.
“During my visit to Maiduguri on March 10, I witnessed first hand the plight of those impacted in the IDP camp.
“Just recently, the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mrs Kam Kaowa, concluded her very first visit to Nigeria, during which she emphasized the critical importance of peace and security for Nigeria’s continued development and prosperity.”
Kazuyoshi explained that since inception, MLAILPKC has trained over one 100, 000 troops on pre-deployment training and over 2200 persons on individual peace support operation courses.
They were drawn from Nigeria’s Armed Forces, Paramilitary organisations , government’s ministries, departments and agencies, civilians and allied countries.
He said the project was executed with technical support from the UNDP and financial support of the government of Japan
“It has the potential to empower women, develop the new generations of female leaders who can play critical role in Nigeria peace building efforts,” the envoy added.
Also, the Chief of Training, Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Sani Muhammad, commended UNDP and the Government of Japan for sustaining the project over the years not only in Nigeria but across the globe.
The chief of training was represented Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, Commandant Nigerian Army School of Infantry.
He said the 2024 project covers 3 vital courses: “Leadership and National Cohesion, Comprehensive Protection of Civilians” and “Countering Violent Extremism”, all to be executed by MLAILPKC.
“ This project will significantly enhance the capacity of MLAILPKC to deliver world-class training and capacity-building programs, empowering military and security personnel.
“As well as other stakeholders, to effectively prevent, respond to, and manage emerging security challenges in Nigeria and the West African sub- region.
“Effective leadership and national cohesion, protection of civilians, and countering violent extremism are essential skills required by peacekeepers, security personnel, NGOs and selected MDAs.
“By acquiring these skills, participants of these courses will be empowered to lead, protect civilians, and counter violent extremism, ultimately contributing to a more peaceful and secure Africa, “Muhammad said.
Also in his remarks, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Mr Mathew Alao, said the event marked the commencement of the execution of the “Enhancing MLAILPKC’s Capacities for Effective Peace Support Operations in West Africa Project”.
Alao said the project was formulated by MLAILPKC and UNDP with funding assistance from the Government of Japan.
He said the main objective of the project was to advance democracy and national cohesion, peaceful co-existence and preserve the well-being of civilians in armed conflicts.
“The funding of this project reflects the importance that the Government of Japan and UNDP attach to peace and security issues in the world, especially in West Africa.
“The project will complement the efforts of the West Africa Member States to curtail the spread and influence of terrorism, extremism and violence in the region.
“Over the last decade, the Government of Japan, in partnership with UNDP, had invested over US$3 million in Peace Support Operations (PSOs), and anti-piracy projects in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
“The projects had resulted in the capacities of about 1,000 military and paramilitary officers and civilians in 11 countries of the regions built and strengthened, “ Alao said.
He said the Government of Japan, in collaboration with UNDP Nigeria, had funded over 15 projects with a budget of over US$28 million in Nigeria in a decade.
“Nigeria is the only country in Africa that has enjoyed perpetual funding of the PSOs project from the Government of Japan since 2014.
“We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Embassy of Japan, Abuja for its constant support to UNDP Nigeria,” Alao added.
Earlier, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, said collaboration efforts with local and international partners have been instrumental in achieving the set objectives.
He said MLAILPKC was proud to partner with organizations such as the UNDP, AU and ECOWAS.
“ The Centre appreciates the collaborative effort of the Government of Japan towards her capacity development programmes.
“These strategic partnerships have enabled MLAILPKC to leverage resources, expertise, and networks, enhancing our impact in peacekeeping and conflict resolution capabilities in Nigeria and Africa.
“Through these partnerships, MLAILPKC continues to strengthen the capacity to promote peace, security, and development in Africa.
“The Centre looks forward to deepening our collaboration to achieve even greater results,” Adedoja said .

The Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), AVM Edward Gabkwet, says the NAF will ,in the next two years, become the third largest air force in Africa.
Gabkwet said this yesterday in Abuja, at a news conference to commence the NAF’s 60th Anniversary Celebration.
He said that NAF was expecting to take delivery of no fewer than 48 additional fighter aircraft into its inventory in the next one or two years.
“The NAF is expecting 12 AH-10 fighter helicopters from the US, 24 M-346 from Italy of which six will arrive this year, and we are getting 12 Trackers.
“So, we are talking about 48 coming to the country,of course, adding up to the other aircraft we are expecting from Turkey and the ones that we have received like Super Tucano and all that.
“So if you talk of strength and number, a lot is going to change, and of course, once you have this kind of strength, we are talking about spread.
“So ,if you spread this aircraft all over this country, definitely the impact is going to be felt all round the country.
“So ,moving forward from now on, you are going to see changes. You are going to see a much more formidable Nigerian air force that can move at ease and take its time to cover all of those ungovernable spaces that these criminals have continued to take advantage of,’’ he said.
Gabkwet also said that the NAF was committed to improving its operations, adding that it was modernising and changing the way it had been doing things.
According to him ,the nation currently has an air force that is safety -conscious and dedicated to ensuring peace and security in all parts of the country.
“If we are able to cover the activities of criminals in the Niger Delta area and the terrorists all over the country that are denying our people access to their farms, it will translate to meaningful benefits for our people.
“So, we must be optimistic about the future, and we must continue to trust our services, the air force, the navy, the army and all security agencies to ensure that we get the support’’. he said.