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By Moses Akaigwe
Kojo Motors; one of Nigeria’s leading automobile companies has been commended for partnering with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in setting up the Compressed Natural Gas Conversion Centre in Owerri, the lmo State capital.
The Director General of the NADDC, Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, in his speech during the occasion on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, which he described as of a monumental importance said, “Today, we are gathered here for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Empowerment and Awareness Summit 2025 with the theme “Building a Youth-Based Nation through Cleaner Energy”.
Osanipin said that the purpose of the summit is to create awareness and sensitise the public on safety, standards and regulation in the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a better alternative source of energy for mobility.
NADDC, he said, is equipping technicians with the knowledge, skills and competencies required to safely and efficiently convert vehicles to run on CNG.
The Council is a parastatal of the Federal Government under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
It has the regulatory oversight on the Nigerian Automotive Industry to initiate, recommend, supervise and regulate policies and programmes for locally manufactured vehicles and components in Nigeria. The NADDC boss noted that the Council has worked tirelessly to ensure the survival and growth of this sector with a view to enhancing its contribution to the national economy.
As part of the CNG Conversion programme, 60 technicians received hands-on training in converting vehicles to run on CNG which ran for five days, from the March 17 to 21,2025.
Osanipin emphasised the importance of using certified conversion kits and specialized workshops to ensure safety during the process.
“The cylinders used in CNG vehicles are fortified, making them safer than traditional vehicle fuel tanks,” he explained.
Also speaking during the event,
Prof. Anoka Njan, representative of the minister for Industry Trade and Investment, praised the NADDC and Kojo Motors efforts, stating that the ministry fully supports the initiative as part of broader efforts to alleviate challenges in the auto industry and empower the youth.
Dr. Emeka Mandela, Imo State Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent, who spoke at the summit on behalf of Gov. Hope Uzodinma, emphasised the immense potential of CNG in easing Nigeria’s transportation challenges and improving the economy.
“CNG offers a safer, cleaner, and cheaper alternative to the hardships many face in the country,” Dr. Madela said.
The governor’s administration is partnering with NADDC and automotive industry bodies to establish conversion workshops and CNG refilling stations across Imo State, ensuring that the state plays a key role in this important shift toward greener energy solutions.
The event marks a significant step in NADDC’s ongoing efforts to transform Nigeria’s automotive industry, making it more sustainable while creating new opportunities for skilled technicians and local communities.
During his presentation, Chinedu Oguegbu, Managing Director, OMAA, which is the vehicle brand promoting the petrol powered to CNG Conversion project, highlighted the economic benefits of running vehicles on CNG instead of petrol.
These advantages include savings up to 60 percent in the cost of fuel relative to dirtier options like diesel and petrol. There is up to 90 percent reduction in knocks and carbon emission, healthier, cleaner and more environmentally friendly.
Besides savings in foreign exchange (FX) with abundance of gas locally, there is also massive resources in-country over 203 tcf of proven reserves that require no refining and relatively lower investment for processing.
Interestingly, Nigeria has an estimated 15-20 million vehicles in operation that can be converted to dual-fuel or bi-fuel.
The OMAA boss reiterated the crucial nebed to providing an alternative to existing fuel system which is already possible with the abundance of CNG as an option.
Delivering his goodwill message, Chino Ogwumike, the National Sales Manager, thanked the DG of NADDC for patnering with Kojo Motors Limited in this laudable project in Owerri, the heatland of the southeast of Nigeria and the government of imo state for accepting to provide the land for building the CNG hub in the state capital.
Ogwumike stated that, the flourishing automotive dealership with branches spread across the country under the visionary leadership of of the founder and executive Chairman, Ikenna Oguegbu, is strongly committed to contributing its quota towards the progress and development of Nigeria’s automotive sector and the over all economy.
