Beyond City Roads: Nigeria Plans Mobile Gas Stations To Power Rural Agriculture
By OBIOMA TORI
THE Federal Government is considering the deployment of mobile Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations to extend affordable energy access to rural communities, particularly farmers who struggle with rising fuel and operating costs.
The proposal represents an expansion of Nigeria’s gas transition programme beyond transportation. Rather than concentrating CNG infrastructure around major cities and commercial centres, the government wants to explore ways of taking gas-powered energy solutions closer to underserved communities.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential CNG Initiative and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed the proposal during an Abuja roundtable titled “Promise to Proof: The Renewed Hope Conversation.”
The event was organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Progressive Strategy Roundtable. Ahmed spoke on the topic, “Fuel That Works: Reliable Energy, Affordable Transport and Fair Prices for Every Household and Business.”
He explained that mobile refuelling stations could provide an alternative to permanent CNG facilities in remote areas where private investors may struggle to recover their investments.
Taking Gas Infrastructure Beyond Major Cities
According to Ahmed, the initiative followed growing interest in gas-powered agricultural equipment during engagements with state governments, particularly in northern Nigeria.
He said farmers were increasingly exploring alternative energy sources to reduce the cost of irrigation and other farming activities.
Jigawa State provides a significant example. Ahmed disclosed that the state government had drawn the initiative’s attention to more than two million farmers who could potentially benefit from affordable gas-powered irrigation systems.
For communities without nearby CNG stations, mobile facilities could make it easier to access the fuel required to operate agricultural equipment.
Consequently, the proposal could help address one of the major obstacles to adopting gas-powered machinery in rural areas: the difficulty of obtaining fuel outside established urban distribution networks.
Ahmed also compared mechanical irrigation pumps with solar-powered alternatives.
He said mechanical pumps could irrigate approximately three hectares of farmland, while solar-powered systems typically covered about one hectare.
Although solar technology offers cleaner energy options, he noted that some farmers prefer mechanical pumps because of their greater coverage and operational capacity.
However, the comparison also highlights the need to assess the suitability of different technologies against farmers’ actual needs, operating costs and access to maintenance services.
CNG Expansion Records 143,000 Vehicle Conversions
Beyond the proposed rural initiative, Ahmed disclosed that Pi-CNG had facilitated approximately 143,000 vehicle conversions and attracted investments estimated at $2.6 billion.
The figures reflect the scale of activity surrounding the government’s effort to encourage motorists and businesses to adopt natural gas as an alternative automotive fuel.
President Bola Tinubu, he said, had authorised the initiative to intensify the nationwide expansion of CNG infrastructure.
Nevertheless, Ahmed identified delays in obtaining regulatory approvals as a major obstacle to the programme.
He therefore appealed to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to accelerate the licensing of CNG refuelling stations.
Without sufficient refuelling infrastructure, the expansion of gas-powered vehicles and equipment could face practical limitations, particularly in locations far from existing facilities.
Electric Vehicles & Domestic Manufacturing
Ahmed also reaffirmed the administration’s interest in developing Nigeria’s electric mobility industry.
He said the government remained committed to promoting domestic electric vehicle production, battery manufacturing and vehicle assembly.
Meanwhile, he explained that lithium development remained under the supervision of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
These initiatives form part of a wider effort to strengthen domestic energy-related industries and reduce dependence on imported technologies and equipment.
However, the success of the strategy will depend on investment, technical capacity, regulatory coordination and the development of supporting infrastructure.
Mini-Grids & the Drive to Reach Underserved Communities
The roundtable also examined other government initiatives aimed at improving energy access.
Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, disclosed that the government planned to establish 1,350 mini-grids under a $750 million electrification project targeting underserved communities.
He explained that the agency was strengthening electricity-access mapping and least-cost electrification planning.
Through this approach, the REA intends to identify communities that would benefit most from mini-grids, captive power systems and other decentralised electricity solutions.
Rather than relying exclusively on conventional distribution infrastructure, the strategy seeks to extend electricity to communities that remain beyond the immediate reach of existing networks.
Similarly, Abdullahi Kassim, who presented the operations of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), disclosed that the company operates 10 power plants with a combined generation capacity of 4,000 megawatts.
He also highlighted its activities in electricity transmission and distribution, industrial power development, solar energy and community infrastructure.
Electricity Tariffs & Service Delivery Remain Concerns
Despite the expansion of energy infrastructure, electricity consumers continue to express concerns about tariffs and the quality of supply.
Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Musiliu Oseni, acknowledged these challenges during his presentation.
He estimated the cost of electricity at approximately ₦200 per kilowatt-hour and explained that customer tariff classifications depend on the duration and reliability of electricity supply.
Oseni said the commission was pursuing improvements through additional generation capacity, mini-grid investments, debt recovery measures and net billing arrangements.
He also disclosed that installed electricity generation capacity had increased by approximately 780 megawatts.
Although supply to Band A customers had improved, he admitted that the overall performance of the electricity sector remained below expectations.
Addressing complaints about arbitrary disconnections, Oseni clarified that regulations prohibited mass disconnections. He also outlined channels through which consumers could seek redress.
Furthermore, he discussed possible compensation arrangements for customers who independently finance improvements to electricity distribution infrastructure.
Refinery Challenges Complicate the Energy Transition
The roundtable also examined the state of Nigeria’s domestic petroleum refining industry.
A representative of the NMDPRA, Mustapha Lamorde, disclosed that the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, with a combined installed capacity of approximately 445,000 barrels per day, remained shut down.
He said the government was engaging international technical experts to address operational challenges affecting the facilities.
Nevertheless, Lamorde disclosed that more than 26 refineries had received licences nationwide.
He also reported that regulators had recently conducted a pre-start-up safety review of the 30,000-barrel-per-day Ebenco Modular Refinery in Koko, Delta State, ahead of its planned commencement of operations.
From Energy Policy to Practical Benefits
The proposed mobile CNG stations reflect an attempt to connect Nigeria’s natural gas resources with the everyday energy needs of rural households and businesses.
For farmers, the initiative could offer another option for powering irrigation equipment and reducing dependence on more expensive fuels.
However, the proposal will require more than the deployment of mobile facilities. Regulators must establish appropriate safety and operating standards, while investors and government agencies must address fuel availability, transportation, maintenance and distribution.
Equally, the government must ensure that the technology remains affordable for the farmers it intends to serve.
The wider energy discussions at the Abuja roundtable also demonstrate that Nigeria’s transition involves several interconnected challenges, including electricity access, tariff affordability, domestic manufacturing and refinery operations.
Ultimately, the success of the mobile CNG proposal will depend on whether government can move from policy discussions to reliable services that reach communities beyond major cities.
For rural farmers, the real test will be whether affordable energy becomes accessible where they work, rather than remaining another promise confined to urban infrastructure plans.
