By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Decade of Gas Secretariat, in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV), has continued its nationwide media engagement programme with a capacity-building session held in Kano State.
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A statement by Edu V. Antai,Lead, Technology/Media Engagement Decade of Gas Secretariat, said the engagement which was held on Thursday, October 22, 2026 brought together about 27 journalists from television, radio, print and digital media platforms to deepen their understanding of Nigeria’s gas development agenda, promote informed reporting and strengthen public awareness of opportunities within the gas sector.
Antai said the Kano session which was the first formal engagement with journalists in the state, following similar sessions held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, reinforced the commitment of both initiatives to sustained media collaboration and public enlightenment.
Speaking on progress in Nigeria’s gas sector, Mr. Taofeek Balogun,the Workstream Lead for Infrastructure and Demand at the Decade of Gas Secretariat highlighted significant achievements recorded under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Balogun disclosed that Nigeria’s proven gas reserves increased from 208.83 trillion cubic feet (TCF) in 2023 to 215.19 TCF as of January 2026, while average gas production rose from 6.86 to approximately 7.5 billion cubic feet per day (BCF/D), with domestic gas supply exceeding 2 BCF/D.
He further highlighted US$3.5 billion in committed investments across four major gas projects, the 100 per cent completion of the OB3 Gas Pipeline and approximately 95 per cent completion of the AKK Gas Pipeline, as well as ₦671 billion in public infrastructure funding attracting approximately ₦1.6 trillion in private investment.
On cleaner cooking, Balogun highlighted the LPG Programme targeting five million households by 2030, with launches in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, the commencement of distribution activities involving 27,000 LPG cylinders, and ongoing regional LPG sensitisation programmes.
He also mentioned the September 24, 2028 target for Nigeria’s transition to a Willing Buyer, Willing Seller (WBWS) gas market framework, aimed at strengthening market competitiveness, transparency and commercial sustainability.
In his presentation on CNG and autogas, Mr. Tosin Coker, Chief Operating Officer of PI-CNG & EV, highlighted the role of natural gas in reducing transportation costs, improving energy security and supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner mobility.
Coker also addressed public concerns about CNG safety, emphasising the importance of certified conversion centres, approved equipment, regulatory compliance and proper vehicle maintenance.
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On public transportation, the Initiative disclosed that 670 CNG buses have so far been deployed nationwide, including 285 buses operating commercially across 13 states, while 302 buses have been allocated to transport unions, students and government agencies.
This is complemented by the vehicle conversion programme, a significant part of which has focused on commercial transportation, helping drivers and operators reduce fuel costs and extend the benefits of CNG to everyday commuters.
The Initiative noted that hundreds more CNG buses and tricycles are currently on order, further expanding the pipeline of cleaner and more affordable public transport options across the country.
Under the National Affordable CNG Transition Programme (NACTP), participating CNG bus routes have recorded fare reductions of between 15 and 50 per cent.
The Initiative further highlighted current plans for 127 additional CNG refuelling stations across 31 states, including the FCT, as part of efforts to expand accessibility and accelerate nationwide adoption.
Kano State was identified as a strategic hub for clean mobility development in Northern Nigeria, currently leading the North West with seven operational CNG refuelling stations, while 17 additional stations are under various stages of completion.
The Initiative has also deployed 25 additional buses to complement earlier commercial deployments in the state, reflecting growing opportunities for affordable transportation, investment and industrial development along the northern gas corridor.
During the interactive session, journalists sought clarification on gas accessibility, affordability, safety, infrastructure development and the implementation of government gas policies.
Speaking on behalf of the participating journalists, Mr Murtala Adewale of Guardian Newspaper, commended the Decade of Gas Secretariat and PI-CNG & EV for organising the parley, describing the engagement as highly educative, informative and beneficial to media practitioners.
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Adewale called for more frequent capacity-building sessions, increased participation of journalists in subsequent engagements and stronger collaboration with relevant industry stakeholders and regulatory agencies to deepen media understanding and promote accurate reporting on developments within Nigeria’s gas sector.
The Decade of Gas Secretariat and PI-CNG & EV reaffirmed their commitment to sustained media engagement, stakeholder collaboration and public education as Nigeria continues toadvance towards a gas-powered economy