The Federal Government has begun the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses to Nigerian universities.
The initiative which started with the University of Abuja is part of efforts to cushion high transportation costs and promote cleaner energy use on campuses.
The project, tagged CNG-Sprout, is the first phase of the Project CNG “Special Palliative Relief for Universities Transportation”, and is expected to be replicated across 20 federal universities nationwide.
Speaking during the commissioning on Thursday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the initiative as a timely response to Nigeria’s energy transition and economic realities.
“I hereby commission the Project CNG-Sprout buses for deployment to university campuses across the country. May they serve as vehicles not just of transport, but of hope, relief, and national progress,” he said.
He explained that the initiative was designed to provide immediate palliative relief to students while also aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s broader commitment to energy affordability, environmental responsibility, and transport sector reform.
“As we navigate energy reforms and shift towards cleaner fuels, cushioning the impact on vulnerable populations, particularly students, remains a key national priority,” Ekpo said.
