Umar Katsayal, vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, says a full transition from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas will drastically reduce harmful emissions nationwide.

He made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the Autogas Nigeria annual conference, where he was represented by the university librarian, Ibrahim Ahmadu.

The event, held to mark World Sustainable Transport Day, focused on ‘CNG for All: Powering Nigeria’s Sustainable Future.’

Mr Katsayal said moving from petrol to cleaner gas would also ease citizens’ burdens through reduced transport costs nationwide.

He described the transition as vital to economic growth, noting that “CNG vehicles emit far lower levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide”.

He added that carbon dioxide emissions could fall by up to 30 per cent, depending on vehicle type and the efficiency of the fuel supply chain. He said the theme stressed the health and environmental gains of cleaner energy, especially in crowded urban areas.

Mr Katsayal noted that CNG was not “a silver bullet” but a practical tool for lowering transport costs and strengthening local value chains.

Also, the Energy Commission’s director-general, Mustapha Abdullahi, said the government was committed to making gas the country’s primary transition fuel.

He said Nigeria’s reserves offered a clear pathway to wider access to an affordable and reliable energy supply. He praised President Bola Tinubu for creating the CNG initiative, which accelerated gas adoption after petrol subsidies ended.

He said the scheme boosted public confidence in gas as a viable and cheaper alternative for transport users.

Autogas Nigeria’s managing director, Maryam Ibrahim, said the country was well placed to lead Africa’s move toward gas-powered mobility. She said the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda by lowering fuel costs, improving energy security, and supporting inclusive growth.

She described the support from partners and participants as “the powerful fuel driving Nigeria’s clean energy future.”

(NAN)