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ABUJA, Nigeria – The federal government has officially launched its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered bus initiative for universities. The University of Abuja is the first institution to receive these vehicles. This marks the start of the CNG-SPROUT project. SPROUT stands for Special Palliative Relief on University Transportation. The project aims to roll out CNG vehicles for universities, offering a cleaner, more affordable transport solution.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, commissioned the project. He described it as a direct response to Nigeria’s ongoing energy transition and current economic pressures. “May they serve as vehicles not just of transport, but of hope, relief, and national progress,” Ekpo stated with optimism. He emphasized the initiative’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s wider agenda. This agenda focuses on making energy more affordable and promoting cleaner fuels. Ekpo added, “Cushioning the impact on vulnerable populations, particularly students, remains a key national priority.”
Paving the Way for Broader Transport Reform
The Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) partnered with FEMADEC Energy Limited to spearhead this deployment. The plan is to extend the project to 20 federal universities nationwide. Minister Ekpo revealed that this is just the beginning. He indicated that deeper reforms in public transportation are forthcoming. These will include incentives for converting vehicles to CNG and expanding the necessary infrastructure. “This is not just a transport solution, it is a jobs and industrialisation pathway,” he asserted, highlighting the project’s economic potential.
Oluwole Adama, Managing Director of MDGIF, praised the swift execution of the project. He acknowledged the challenging timelines and the complexity of the task. “As we unveil the first four facilities here in Abuja, we must congratulate FEMADEC for delivering under pressure,” Adama remarked. He reaffirmed MDGIF’s dedication to making strategic investments in gas infrastructure. These investments aim to spur domestic economic growth. The introduction of CNG vehicles for universities in Nigeria is a significant step in this direction.
Empowering Education with Sustainable Transport
Michael Oluwagbemi, Chief Executive Officer of PCNGI (Presidential CNG Initiative), highlighted the program’s wider benefits for educational institutions. He said, “We are delivering hope, innovation, and a future-forward solution to the mobility and energy challenges facing our academic communities.” Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, lauded the Tinubu administration for impactful initiatives. He mentioned free WiFi, solar power installations, and now the SPROUT project. Dr. Alausa believes these programs will collectively transform Nigeria’s education system for the better.
Professor Patricia Lar, Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, confirmed the delivery of five 18-seater buses and several CNG tricycles to her institution. She emphasized the immediate benefit of reduced transportation costs for both students and staff. Adding another dimension, Fola Akinola, Managing Director of FEMADEC, explained that the initiative also includes developing a gas-focused curriculum. This curriculum aims to build local expertise in CNG technology. “It goes beyond just providing buses we are creating a skills and innovation hub around CNG technology,” Akinola stated.
By Abdullah Korede
