The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has enlisted Afrobeat star Tuface Idibia, comedian Basketmouth, lifestyle influencer Ola of Lagos, and Northern musician Rarara to champion the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Nigeria.
PCNGI Vice Chairman, Toyin Subair, announced on Monday that these cultural icons and influencers would participate in a fact-finding trip to India. The trip is designed to showcase India’s successful integration of CNG into transportation, domestic, and industrial applications, serving as a model for Nigeria’s energy transition efforts.
“This initiative is part of PCNGI’s broader strategy to promote transparency, spark public conversation, and engage Nigerians through key personalities who resonate with diverse audiences,” Subair stated.
The delegation will explore India’s CNG value chain, visiting facilities like conversion centres, refuelling stations, gas distribution hubs, and industrial sites. They will document their journey in real time, sharing insights and key takeaways with their followers online.
Subair emphasized the importance of using familiar and trusted voices to communicate CNG’s benefits, aiming to foster public confidence and dispel doubts fueled by misinformation or political resistance.
He noted, “Our goal is to involve Nigerians in fully utilising our most abundant resource, gas. This initiative is led by a President bold enough to prioritize economic independence. I commend Tuface, Basketmouth, Ola of Lagos, and Rarara for stepping up as the eyes of the people.”
India, which has tens of millions of vehicles running on CNG and robust supporting infrastructure, serves as a successful case study for what a well-planned energy transition can achieve.
The initiative is backed by Nigerian-based companies Femadec Energy and Rolling Energy, with additional participation from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Otega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant (Digital/New Media) to President Bola Tinubu, underscored the goal of the initiative: “This trip is designed to show Nigerians what’s happening on the ground, encouraging them to ask questions, engage with facts, and contribute to shaping the national energy conversation.”
The project reflects a commitment to transparency and inclusivity in promoting CNG as a sustainable energy alternative, with influential figures helping to amplify the message across diverse audiences.
