Northern Nigeria’s commercial hub of Kano has marked a major milestone in its shift toward cleaner energy, expanding its compressed natural gas (CNG) network from virtually zero to 12 refuelling stations within just 12 months.
The rapid expansion was highlighted during the launch of two new refuelling stations and a vehicle conversion centre operated by NU Synergy, a private energy firm. The developments are part of a broader push across northern Nigeria—known as the “Northern Corridor” initiative—to transition the country away from expensive petrol and diesel toward cheaper, domestically produced natural gas.
The official opening was attended by senior state officials, traditional leaders, and representatives from major business conglomerates, including the Dangote Group. Kano State’s Commissioner for Transportation attended the ceremony on behalf of the state governor.
Nigeria is a gas country
Speaking at the launch, Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), praised the private sector for stepping up to build the necessary infrastructure.”The future belongs to cheaper energy sources for transportation. It is difficult to achieve that with petrol and diesel,” Mr. Ahmed said.”Nigeria is a gas country, not an oil country. We have over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas,” he added, noting that making better use of domestic gas would lower transit costs, create jobs, and foster technical skills. Mr. Ahmed praised NU Synergy’s rapid rollout, revealing that the investor had first approached his office just four months ago seeking guidance on entering the clean energy market.”Four months later, this is the story. He is commissioning a CNG station in Kano,” Ahmed said. “You are a doer, you are a deliverer, and you have delivered in Kano.”
Driving down transport costs
NU Synergy’s newly launched sites—located along Zaria Road and in Mariri along Wudil Road—combine gas pumps with dedicated vehicle conversion workshops. This allows motorists to adapt their petrol engines to run on gas and refuel at a single location.To mark the opening, local motorists were offered free gas refuelling for the day. For commuters and commercial transport operators in Kano, the expansion offers relief from high fuel prices following recent energy market reforms. Transport operators, fleet managers, and private drivers now have far greater access to alternative fuel across the state.
The rapid growth in Kano is expected to serve as a blueprint for the rest of northern Nigeria as the country builds out its clean mobility network.
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