Chidimma Uchegbu – Abuja
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has said that the present administration is implementing the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to reduce the demand for petroleum.
Dr. Alake stated this at the opening of the 4th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit, AFNIS at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said that Nigerians have fully embraced the initiative with patriotic enthusiasm as more than 2,500 vehicles were converted to CNG in 2024.
“The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is currently implementing the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to reduce the demand for petroleum, and Nigerians have embraced it with patriotic enthusiasm”.
The Minister stated that statistics from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority indicate that at least 2,500 vehicles have been converted to CNG at the authority’s 186 centres nationwide in 2024.
“These conversions have increased the number of Nigerian gas vehicles to approximately 50,000 and attracted over $400 million in investment.”
Speaking on Energy, Dr. Alake stressed that the conversation around climate change and emissions reduction is critical, but it can not be separated from the realities of development.
“Africa’s emission rate is considered the lowest in the world. Much of the emission originates from Southern Africa, which heavily relies on coal, and Libya, which heavily relies on fossil fuels. This gives us a critical advantage in planning. ”
“Our energy transition must not come at the cost of industrialisation, food security, or inclusive growth. For Nigeria and Africa as a whole, this means powering farms and factories, not shutting them down. It means creating new industries, not dismantling the ones we have, ” the Minister added.
Dr. Alake further said Nigeria is committed to providing thousands of green jobs through Nigeria’s energy transition plan.
“Nigeria’s National Energy Transition Plan is not just a roadmap, it is a commitment to create thousands of green jobs while cutting emissions in a way that does not disrupt our social fabric, from scaling up natural gas use as a cleaner transition fuel to deploying solar mini-grids in remote areas” Dr. Alake emphasized.
“We are implementing practical solutions to bring light, dignity, and opportunity to millions. Energy access, in our context, is not a luxury; it is the foundation of progress. Every additional megawatt we generate and distribute is a child who can study at night, a business that can grow, and a hospital that can save lives”.
“Nigeria is already part of the ECOWAS Power Pool, and we are committed to deepening regional integration through projects like the Nigeria–Benin interconnector and the planned grid link with Cameroon. These are not just power lines; they are economic lifelines. ”
In his presentation, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu called for continuous improvement in electricity considering the growing population of the country.
Chief Adelabu added that Nigeria is strengthening domestic capabilities across the sector, driving reform to reduce import dependence, close infrastructure gaps, and embed local skills and technology into the core of power strategy.
“With a population exceeding 200 million, Nigeria’s electricity demand continues to rise. Meeting that demand requires more than generation. It requires a clear regulatory framework, sustained investment, and local participation at every value chain level, from metering and manufacturing to system operations and grid management.
Earlier, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs of Kenya, Hassan Ali Joho who commended the African Continent for identifying its problems stressed that it’s time for African countries to work together in creating jobs and wealth that can transform the region and the people for global development.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Tour Exploration and co-sponsor of the event, Mr. Segun Lawson commended the Nigerian government for providing accurate data for exploration for stakeholders in the sector.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development, Faruk Yusuf Yabo, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to driving the implementation of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” through partnerships that prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
He also commended the summit as a platform for African countries to forge a united front in attracting green investments, developing clean energy infrastructure, and repositioning the continent as a key player in the global energy transition.
