By ebosele@hotmail.com
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) on Wednesday received a delegation from the National CNG Forum (NCNG-F) to explore opportunities for collaboration aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) ecosystem and accelerating the development of the local automotive industry.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the National CNG Forum, Faruk Abdullahi, visited the NADDC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
The engagement focused on the future of CNG in Nigeria and its growing relationship with the transformation of the country’s automotive sector.
Speaking during the visit, Abdullahi expressed optimism that the engagement would contribute to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s CNG policy.
He identified technical standards and quality assurance, local content and indigenous manufacturing, skills development, research and innovation as key areas where the two organisations could collaborate.
Abdullahi described NADDC as a strategic partner in the development of Nigeria’s automotive and CNG ecosystem, stressing the need for government institutions and industry stakeholders to work together to ensure that the transition to CNG goes beyond a mere change of fuel.
According to him, the CNG transition should serve as a catalyst for automotive industrialisation, local content development, skills acquisition, innovation and job creation.
He said the National CNG Forum was committed to bringing the practical experiences and perspectives of industry stakeholders to the table while supporting the objectives of the Federal Government.
Abdullahi also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to address challenges and maximise the opportunities presented by CNG adoption.
Responding, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, highlighted Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources and the economic benefits of CNG as an alternative fuel.
Osanipin noted that CNG offers lower operating and maintenance costs compared with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), adding that its wider adoption could have a significant positive impact on the Nigerian economy.
The NADDC chief executive further stated that the CNG transition has the potential to generate employment and contribute significantly to industrial development.
He, however, stressed that achieving these benefits would require the collective efforts of government, the private sector, industry stakeholders and relevant platforms capable of aggregating challenges, opportunities and practical solutions.
Osanipin therefore called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to develop a robust CNG ecosystem that would support cleaner and more affordable mobility while promoting local manufacturing, skills development, innovation, employment generation and the overall growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
