Necessity, it’s said – and rightly too – to be the mother of invention. Pushed to the wall, a man (or beast) will invent options to survive and if possible, thrive. One such action today is the CNG adoption pushed by the Nigerian state in the wake of hyperinflation, dwindling exports, and soaring gas prices. Unfortunately, the timing is wrong, and the forced adoption doesn’t look well, looked at critically.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), got locally as a by-product of the numerous petro-based activities in the country appears to be the logical solution in a scenario where the price of gasoline has reached an all-time high.
So, why the skepticism? Why is the pushing for CNG and the timing completely wrong? Why is the cry for CNG adoption in the country currently off-key?
It turns out, there are several, sadly, good reasons.
Article Outline
Inflation & Inconsistent Government Policies
The official inflation rate in Nigeria stands at 28.4%. In theory, this looks like a tolerable situation that does not connote anything out of the ordinary.
In reality, however, the inflation rate is in the range of at least, 400 – 1000%, depending on what you’re buying and the part of the country where you’re buying from.
For instance, foreign used vehicles have consistently surged in prices over the past years with some makes and models witnessing an increase that is well above the 1000% mark.
Inflation aside, the government, over the years, has developed an inconsistent way of handling the economy and churning out policies. For instance, despite the government claiming over the years that subsidy either does not exist or that it has been removed, the government still paid a record high amount in petrol subsidy in 2024.
The duo of inflation and inconsistent government pronouncement makes for difficult times, trying to adopt to CNG, as a gasoline user.
With adequate adoption, it is feared, and rightly so too, that CNG, touted to be relatively affordable now will also skyrocket, beyond the reach of the common man, as Kerosene and petrol have in the past.
This fear is very valid as even without adequate adoption, the commodity, which otherwise is a waste, has more than doubled in price in recent months.
So, why bother with switching to CNG (from gasoline) when inflation and inconsistent government policies threaten whatever costs you’re trying to run away from?
An Inefficient Quality Control System
Nigeria, in theory, has a quality control agency, The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON). However, this organization’s existence and impact have only been felt on paper.
What happens, instead, is that the floodgates of fake and substandard products have been opened throughout the years and Nigeria has effectively become a dumping ground for fake and substandard products with SON bringing up excuses upon excuses, year after year.
With little or no regulatory control, several CNG-inspired accidents have been recorded in recent times, with attendant deaths all pointing to the inefficiency of SON and the challenges of using substandard conversion kits.
Pushing for CNG adoption by the masses when SON is still making excuses for its failure to keep substandard goods is putting the cart before the horse…as anyone who knows this reality, it doesn’t end well.
Poor Delivery Infrastructure
Gasoline queues in Nigeria are older than a chunk of the population of the country. Spanning decades and being consistent through the years, scarcity of the commodity isn’t new to Nigerians anymore: it is that annoying insect that must be endured, as one works hard on the farm.
However, with the promotion of CNG, the least one expects is availability, since this holds the government’s interest and the the percent of users is still in the single digits.
The reality, however, is far from the above. CNG-inspired queues abound nationwide and the stations are far apart, with some states having no CNG refill plant (and no ‘neighbors’ to refill from remotely).
This extremely poor delivery infrastructure negates the very reason why CNG is touted to be an alternative to gasoline in the first place.
Another classic case of putting the cart before the horse.
Absymal Manpower
Manpower in Nigeria is generally low – even for regular gasoline-powered vehicles and their regular maintenance. This was the primary reason why I ventured into the world of auto DIY in the first place.
When ‘advanced’ technology like hybrid systems and CNG kits are thrown into the mix, it’s the perfect recipe for failure, just waiting to happen.
CNG is a simple system, at its core. However, it’s also less tolerating of abuses or trial and error, which local mechanics have perfected and are rather good at.
Before pushing for the wide adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel source in the country, it makes sense to first massively train and retrain the mechanics that will properly maintain these converted, dual-fuel vehicles.
Otherwise? A perfect recipe for disaster – as we’re already seeing.
Increasing Risks, Damning Records
Compressed gas, no matter the thickness of the cylinder housing them, eventually needs new ‘shells’ or runs the risk of a mishap – as Malaysia has painfully learned.
With the phase-out date for the country set to 2025, it’s clear that the country knows one or two things Nigeria still hasn’t come to terms with: safety.
With the increasing adoption and a general culture of neglect and abuse, it doesn’t take genius to understand that CNG is best offered as a casual, liberal alternative to gasoline and not as a ‘mainstay’.
It’s that simple and plain.
CNG Adoption? No, Thank You
My daily driver is a 3.3-liter V6 that returns, on average, 20 miles to the gallon.
To fill its 70-liter tank isn’t the most fun thing to do at the moment as gasoline prices are just under a dollar for a liter now.
But, is CNG an option? No – and it won’t be.
Instead of opting for CNG adoption, I’ll be considering a smaller displacement gasoline engine and restricting most of my commuting, when not necessary.