Pi-CNG & EV Warns Against Unauthorised, Illegal Conversions Following Abuja Incident

Abuja — September 14, 2026

The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) has received with concern reports of an incident involving a cylinder fitted to a vehicle at the NIPCO Gas Filling Station along Airport Road, Abuja, on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

According to information provided by NIPCO, the vehicle had been fitted with a cylinder that was not designed or certified for the storage of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The cylinder exploded during refuelling at the station.

The driver of the vehicle was subsequently apprehended and is expected to face the full weight of the law for the use of an unauthorised cylinder, which endangered lives and property.

This incident again highlights the serious danger of using unauthorised cylinders and components for CNG conversion. Pi-CNG & EV has repeatedly warned motorists that only cylinders specifically manufactured, tested and certified for automotive CNG use should be installed in vehicles.

A cylinder is not a CNG cylinder simply because it can contain gas. Improvising with cylinders designed for other uses is against the approved safety guidelines. Cylinders designed for other purposes cannot be converted, adapted or improvised for the storage of CNG. Doing so is against approved safety standards and poses a serious risk to lives and property.

The use of substandard, fabricated, expired or unapproved cylinders puts vehicle owners, passengers, technicians, station personnel and other members of the public at risk.

Pi-CNG & EV has continued to work with relevant regulatory and standards agencies to strengthen safety across the CNG value chain. We have also repeatedly urged motorists to resist the temptation to patronise unqualified technicians or use cheaper, unapproved components in an attempt to reduce the cost of conversion.

The rapid growth of Nigeria's CNG market makes compliance even more important. Every conversion must meet prescribed safety standards, and every cylinder installed in a vehicle must be manufactured and certified specifically for automotive CNG use.

We therefore call on vehicle owners and commercial operators to use only NADDC-accredited conversion centres and SON-certified CNG kits and cylinders.

We also urge NMDPRA licensed refuelling station operators to continue to remain vigilant and ensure that appropriate safety and verification procedures are followed before dispensing CNG.

Pi-CNG & EV will continue to work with its partners and relevant authorities to strengthen compliance, public awareness, and safety across Nigeria's growing CNG ecosystem.