Pi-CNG & EV Initiative — Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed

Appointed

May 2023

Appointed by President Tinubu as Executive Chairman

Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2023 to lead the newly established Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG). His mandate was expanded in March 2026 to encompass Electric Vehicles, with the initiative formally redesignated Pi-CNG & EV.

Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed at a Pi-CNG & EV conversion facility

The Initiative

What Is Pi-CNG
& EV?

The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) is one of President Tinubu's flagship economic reform programmes, launched in May 2023 to provide Nigerian vehicle owners with an affordable, cleaner alternative to petrol following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

At the time of its establishment, Nigeria had fewer than 5,000 CNG-converted vehicles. Today, under Barr. Ahmed's leadership, that number exceeds 100,000 — with 337+ certified conversion centres, 62+ refuelling stations, and the country's first government-backed electric bus fleet now in service.

The initiative encompasses six interconnected programme pillars — from vehicle conversion to electric mobility, infrastructure to digital monitoring, technician training to mass transit — making it the most comprehensive clean transportation programme in Nigeria's history.

Programme Architecture

Six Pillars.
One Vision.

Each pillar of Pi-CNG & EV reinforces the others — creating a self-sustaining, commercially viable, and nationally scalable clean energy transport ecosystem.

Programme 01

🔧

CNG Conversion Incentive Programme

Subsidised vehicle conversion from petrol to CNG, delivered through 337+ certified centres across 23 states. Drove a near 3,000% increase in Nigeria's converted vehicle fleet since 2023.

337+

Active Centres

States

Programme 02

⚡

Electric Mobility & EV Integration

Nigeria's first government-backed electric mass transit deployment. 40 EV buses in service, with charging infrastructure, fleet management, and a national EV policy framework under development.

EV Buses

500

Target by 2027

Programme 03

⛽

CNG Refuelling Network

62+ stations active across 28 states, with targets set for all 36 states and the FCT. Developed through direct government investment and private AutoCNG partnerships.

62+

Stations

States

Programme 04

📡

NGVMS — Smart National Monitoring

Real-time IoT-enabled oversight of Nigeria's entire CNG fleet and refuelling network — enabling predictive maintenance, safety compliance, and national-scale analytics.

Real-Time

IoT Data

2025

Deployed

Programme 05

🎓

Technician Training

1,125 certified CNG auto-technicians trained across all six geopolitical zones — directly enabling 100,000+ vehicle conversions and creating 99,700 direct and indirect jobs.

1,125

Trained

6 Zones

Coverage

Programme 06

🚌

Renewed Hope Mass Transit

Deployed thousands of CNG buses and tricycles. 405 buses delivered to NLC and TUC. Launched with free Yuletide rides for millions — now a commercially sustainable daily operation.

Millions

Served

405

NLC/TUC Buses

Pi-CNG & EV programme delivery · March 2026

March 2026

EV Mandate
Expansion

In March 2026, President Tinubu formally expanded Pi-CNG's mandate to encompass Electric Vehicles — an extraordinary vote of confidence in Barr. Ahmed's delivery record and a historic moment for Nigeria's clean energy ambitions.

The expanded Pi-CNG & EV initiative now targets a complete clean-energy transport ecosystem: one million CNG conversions by 2027, a growing EV fleet, national charging infrastructure, and local EV manufacturing partnerships.

This expansion made Pi-CNG & EV the only Nigerian government programme to formally encompass both CNG and electric mobility at national scale — and positioned Barr. Ahmed as the architect of Nigeria's entire clean energy transport future.

“

"This is not just an expansion — it is a signal that Nigeria is committed to the full spectrum of clean energy transportation. We have proven the CNG model. Now we take that same energy, that same urgency, to electric vehicles."

Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed · March 2026

Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed briefing President Tinubu

Briefing President Tinubu on Pi-CNG & EV progress · Aso Rock Villa

Presidential Confidence

Direct Access to
The Presidency

As Executive Chairman of Pi-CNG & EV, Barr. Ahmed reports directly to President Tinubu and regularly briefs the President on programme progress at Aso Rock Villa.

President Tinubu personally commended Barr. Ahmed on his birthday in January 2026, describing him as "a dedicated and patriotic Nigerian" — a rare public acknowledgement from a sitting President to a programme chief.

The expansion of Pi-CNG's mandate to include EVs in March 2026 was the clearest possible signal of the President's confidence in Barr. Ahmed's leadership, delivery record, and strategic vision for Nigeria's energy future.