The Federal Government has launched the Northern Corridor of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicle transport programme in Kano State.
The initiative, introduced through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, is aimed at promoting cleaner, affordable and sustainable transportation while reducing the cost of moving goods and passengers across the country.
The launch ceremony, held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, attracted government officials, investors, transport stakeholders and representatives of the Kano State Government.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, described the programme as a strategic economic intervention designed to support Nigeria’s energy transition and improve transportation efficiency.
Hadejia noted that transportation costs remain a major driver of inflation, impacting food prices, logistics and overall economic stability.
He said, “This transition is not just an energy policy; it is an economic strategy aimed at reducing costs and strengthening long-term growth.”
The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Ismaeel Ahmed, said the programme had moved beyond cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal to building a sustainable transportation ecosystem.
According to him, the initiative has expanded through vehicle conversion centres, refuelling infrastructure and workforce development across several states.
Ahmed disclosed that more than 300 conversion partners had been onboarded nationwide, including 41 centres in Kano, while over 7,000 Nigerians had received training under the programme.
“We are guided by three priorities — affordability, availability and acceptability. Nigerians should be able to convert their vehicles without financial pressure,” he said.
He added that the initiative had attracted over $2 billion in investment commitments, noting that Kano remains a strategic commercial and logistics hub in Northern Nigeria.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, described the programme as a timely intervention capable of reducing transportation costs and improving residents’ living conditions.
“Kano has always occupied a strategic position in commerce, transportation and industry. Any initiative capable of reducing transportation costs and providing affordable alternatives will directly improve the lives of millions of our people,” the governor said.
Yusuf added that the state government had commenced collaboration with investors and relevant agencies to expand gas and electric mobility infrastructure across the state.
The event also featured the commissioning of two new CNG refuelling stations aimed at strengthening clean mobility infrastructure in Kano and neighbouring states.
