Lagos plans 19 CNG stations by early 2027 to cut fuel queues
- Lagos aims to grow its CNG refuelling network to 19 stations by the first quarter of 2027.
- Five new stations are due to open by November 12, with 10 more targeted by early 2028.
- Converting a car to CNG costs between ₦700,000 and ₦1m, officials said.
Lagos plans to raise the number of compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in the state to 19 by the first quarter of 2027, up from the handful operating now, as it tries to ease long queues and offer motorists a cheaper alternative to petrol.
Tayo Gbajumo, Managing Director of Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation, announced the plan at a briefing on Thursday ahead of the 2026 Lagos Energy Summit, which runs from November 10 to 12. The state is working with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on the expansion.
Gbajumo said five additional stations are due to be commissioned by November 12, 2026. A further 10 stations are targeted by the first quarter of 2028, which would bring the network to 29.
The two outlets that reported the briefing differed slightly on how many stations are running today. Punch quoted Gbajumo as saying four are operational, in Ikorodu, Agege, Ojota and Oshodi. Nairametrics reported him as saying three are operating, in Agege, Ojota and Oshodi.
Why it matters for motorists
Long queues at CNG stations have frustrated drivers who switched from petrol. Gbajumo blamed inadequate infrastructure for the queues and said the state is expanding facilities to cut waiting times.
He put the cost of converting a vehicle to run on CNG at between ₦700,000 and ₦1m, depending on the quality and standard of the equipment. Ibile uses European-standard equipment, he said.
He argued that the upfront cost can be recovered through fuel savings. Filling a 60-kilogramme CNG tank costs about ₦5,000 and gives a driving range of roughly 200 kilometres, depending on usage.
On safety, Gbajumo said CNG has been used around the world for more than 50 years and is among the safest transport fuels when handled properly. He urged motorists to have conversions done only by certified engineers.
“The first thing that I will tell everybody is to ensure that wherever your conversion is being done, it is done by certified engineers,” he said.
The push comes as diesel prices have climbed sharply. According to Nairametrics, diesel rose from about ₦950 per litre at the start of 2026 to between ₦1,950 and ₦2,100 per litre.
Lagos has also tightened rules for public transport. The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) stopped accepting new diesel-powered buses into its regulated system in January 2026, requiring new entrants to run on CNG or electricity. Its managing director, Abimbola Akinajo, said the shift was partly to cut emissions and operating costs.
What happens next
The energy summit from November 10 to 12 will bring together regulators, investors, power distribution companies and energy experts. Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Biodun Ogunleye said talks will cover electricity supply, renewable energy, metering, energy affordability and the adoption of CNG and electric vehicles.
The ministry's Permanent Secretary, Ibilola Kasunmu, said the summit will focus on practical solutions to Nigeria's electricity problems rather than talks without clear outcomes.
Nationally, the Federal Government is targeting 1,000 CNG refuelling stations and the conversion of one million commercial petrol vehicles by 2027, according to Nairametrics.
