The Nigerian federal government has initiated a significant measure to enhance the safety, accountability, and environmental integrity of the nation's Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector with the launch of the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS). Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), formally introduced the system, underscoring its pivotal role in ensuring that only vehicles converted at accredited facilities with certified kits can access CNG at approved stations. This strategic move, integrated into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Decade of Gas Initiative, is designed to position CNG as an affordable and sustainable energy option for Nigerians, providing comprehensive oversight from the point of conversion to refuelling.

Further reinforcing the government's commitment to the CNG expansion, Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman/CEO of the Presidential Initiative on CNG (PiCNG), announced the successful mobilization of over $1 billion in private sector investments dedicated to bolstering the entire CNG value chain across Nigeria. Ahmed also disclosed plans for the commissioning of additional conversion and refuelling stations nationwide before the close of the year. Leaders representing various transport unions in Nigeria voiced their profound appreciation for the PiCNG, acknowledging its effectiveness in alleviating the economic repercussions of the 2023 fuel subsidy removal. They reported that more than one million free CNG kits, buses, and tricycles (Keke) have been distributed to their members, leading to substantial reductions in transportation costs and, consequently, lower food prices across the country. The union representatives urged the government to prioritize commercial vehicles within the CNG project and to expedite the expansion of conversion and refuelling stations, citing their current limited availability across different states.

In a parallel and significant development affecting Nigeria’s energy landscape, the 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) Dangote oil refinery is grappling with considerable operational challenges. Bloomberg reported that the refinery has drastically cut its crude oil purchases by more than 50% from its peak in July, now acquiring fewer than 300,000 bpd this month. This volume, which includes both domestic supplies and imports, represents less than half of the plant’s designed capacity. Analysts indicate that these persistent issues, which encompass unplanned outages and instances of worker sabotage amidst reorganisation efforts, are projected to continue into next year, thereby sustaining upward pressure on global gasoline prices.

Since its inception in 2024, the Dangote refinery, a vital petrol producer that has reshaped West African oil markets, has experienced multiple operational stoppages in its petrol unit this year. According to intelligence firm IIR Energy, substantial work remains to be completed on the petrol-making unit, which could necessitate another shutdown early next year, potentially in January. This prevalent skepticism regarding the refinery's capacity to operate at a high output rate extends into 2026, as noted by consulting firms such as FGE NexantECA. Qilin Tam, head of refining at FGE NexantECA, suggested that Dangote is likely to continue facing operational issues next year, albeit to a lesser extent, which