Arewa Unity Forum demands decentralisation of Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas initiative, alleging monopolistic practices that exclude Northern regions.
The Arewa Unity Forum (AUF) has issued a compelling appeal to the federal government, calling for an immediate restructuring of Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme implementation to address what they describe as significant regional imbalances.
In a strongly-worded statement released yesterday, AUF leadership criticised the current approach as disproportionately benefiting select interests while systematically excluding Northern Nigeria from meaningful participation.
According to AUF National Chairman Nasiru Umar, the ambitious national CNG initiative—designed to provide Nigerians with a cleaner, more affordable alternative to traditional petroleum fuels—has been compromised by its execution strategy.
“The present CNG programme is heavily skewed in favour of a single entity which has received the lion’s share of government support, including funding and import approvals for the infrastructure of CNG, all equipment,” Umar stated. This concentration of resources, he argued, has effectively locked out Northern entrepreneurs and communities from accessing essential CNG infrastructure, conversion centres, and affordable technology.
The federal government launched the CNG initiative as a cornerstone of its energy transition plan following fuel subsidy removal in 2023. The programme aims to reduce transportation costs, decrease environmental pollution, and create new economic opportunities across Nigeria’s energy sector. CNG offers up to 65% cost savings compared to traditional fuels and burns significantly cleaner than petrol or diesel.
Energy analyst Dr. Ibrahim Musa of Ahmadu Bello University explained, “The CNG programme represents Nigeria’s most significant energy transition effort in decades, with potential to transform our transportation sector while reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products.”
The AUF outlined four specific recommendations to address the alleged regional disparity:
1. Presidential mandate for decentralised implementation ensuring equitable access across all regions.
2. Directed involvement from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NMDPRA to establish CNG infrastructure projects specifically in Northern states
3. Enhanced regulatory oversight from Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to guarantee safety compliance of all CNG equipment
4. Targeted financial and technical support from development agencies including TETFund, Bank of Industry, and SMEDAN for Northern entrepreneurs entering the CNG ecosystem
Economic experts note that equitable implementation of the CNG programme could significantly impact Northern Nigeria’s economy. The region, which encompasses approximately 70% of Nigeria’s land mass and houses over half its population, has historically struggled with higher transportation costs due to longer average travel distances.
“Excluding the North from CNG infrastructure doesn’t just represent a missed business opportunity—it perpetuates economic disadvantage for millions of citizens,” said Professor Amina Bello, an economist at Bayero University Kano.
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources has yet to issue an official response to AUF’s statement. However, a source within the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority who requested anonymity acknowledged ongoing discussions about regional balance in the programme’s implementation.
“Nigeria’s energy transition must be inclusive, safe, and strategically balanced across all regions for it to succeed,” concluded the AUF statement. “Ensuring equitable implementation of the CNG program is not only a matter of justice—it is essential to national unity, sustainable development, and economic resilience.”
As the government continues its push toward nationwide adoption of CNG technology, the AUF’s intervention highlights broader questions about resource allocation and regional equity in national development projects—questions that many observers believe will require thoughtful engagement from policymakers to resolve.
