Compressed natural gas-powered buses were launched to Nigerian colleges by the Federal Government on Thursday.  

In an attempt to reduce the high cost of transit and encourage the use of cleaner energy on campuses, the government started with the University of Abuja.  

Known as "CNG-Sprout," the initiative is the initial stage of "Project CNG Special Palliative Relief for Universities Transportation" and is anticipated to be repeated at 20 federal institutions across the country.  

The effort is a timely reaction to Nigeria's energy transformation and economic realities, according to Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), who commissioned the buses on Thursday.

“I hereby commission the Project CNG-Sprout buses for deployment to university campuses across the country. May they serve as vehicles not just of transport but of hope, relief, and national progress,” the minister prayed.

He clarified that the program was created to give students quick palliative relief while simultaneously supporting President Bola Tinubu's larger agenda for environmental stewardship, energy affordability, and transportation sector reform.

“As we navigate energy reforms and shift towards cleaner fuels, cushioning the impact on vulnerable populations, particularly students, remains a key national priority,” Ekpo said.

The Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund is implementing the project in collaboration with FEMADEC Energy Limited, which received praise for finishing the first deployment phase on time.

Source