The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has officially launched 84 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles for the Nigerian Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone in the country’s drive towards clean energy adoption.
The fleet includes 20 buses, 50 Jet Lander pickup trucks, and 14 Jet Mover Executive buses.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Matawalle described the initiative as a bold and strategic move aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of promoting energy sustainability, economic efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The project was executed in partnership with the Presidential CNG Initiative (P-CNGi).
Highlighting Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves, the Minister said it was only logical and visionary to leverage this resource for powering transportation. He noted that the military’s transition to CNG-powered vehicles would not only reduce fuel costs but also contribute meaningfully to the country’s climate action goals.
“By converting a segment of Armed Forces vehicles to CNG, we are reducing greenhouse gas emissions while demonstrating innovation and adaptability in military logistics,” he stated.
Matawalle praised the military for leading the public sector’s shift toward cleaner energy, emphasizing that the transition is a long-term commitment rather than a one-off event. He stressed the need to invest in the supporting infrastructure, such as CNG refuelling stations in military bases, and the training of technical personnel to maintain the new systems.
“We must integrate sustainability into logistics planning and procurement to ensure energy efficiency becomes a key consideration across military operations,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said the adoption of CNG vehicles reflects the ongoing modernization of the Armed Forces. He noted that the move aligns with global best practices in energy use, strengthens military infrastructure, and improves operational effectiveness.
“This milestone underscores our dedication to reducing carbon emissions, enhancing fuel efficiency, and achieving cost-effective service delivery within the defence sector,” Musa said.
Coordinator of the Presidential CNG Initiative, Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, also commended the Armed Forces for their proactive role in embracing clean energy solutions. He revealed that the Nigerian Army was the first institution to pilot the P-CNGi project, converting 30 vehicles initially, with the number now expanded to 100.
According to Oluwagbemi, a comprehensive training and conversion programme is underway to retrofit over 5,000 military vehicles for CNG use, further deepening the Armed Forces’ commitment to a sustainable future.
