Expert seeks more safety measures as CNG adoption expands
Lagos, Aug. 2026 (TBL Africa) A former National Chairperson of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), Mrs Funmilade Akingbagbohun, has called for more safety measures to support the Federal Government’s expanding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme.
Akingbagbohun made the call in an interview on Sunday in Lagos, commending the progress recorded in the deployment of CNG as an alternative fuel.
She said the expansion of the programme should be matched with enhanced engineering quality control, professional competence, infrastructure and data management.
According to her, Nigeria has an opportunity to build a safe and sustainable CNG ecosystem by strengthening inspection, certification and monitoring as more vehicles are converted.
Akingbagbohun recommended mandatory national inspection and periodic recertification of CNG-powered vehicles throughout their operating lives.
She proposed a digital CNG identity for every converted vehicle, linked to its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), conversion kit, cylinder, installer and inspection history.
She said inspections should cover cylinder integrity and mounting, expiry dates, high-pressure lines, valves, regulators, pressure-relief devices, leak detection and electrical connections.
She also recommended checks on engine management systems, crashworthiness, cylinder clearance, ventilation and overall installation quality.
“The vehicle should not simply be inspected once after conversion. There should be mandatory periodic inspection, just as roadworthiness is required,” she said.
The former NIMechE chairperson also advocated a national accreditation and competency system for CNG conversion engineers and technicians.
She said strengthening technical capacity at conversion centres would complement the expansion of the programme.
According to her, accredited centres should have qualified personnel, certified equipment, calibrated leak-testing and diagnostic tools, approved procedures and emergency-response systems.
She also recommended independent audits and periodic inspections to ensure that operators consistently met required standards.
Akingbagbohun advocated the establishment of a National CNG Safety and Incident Data System to capture vehicle conversions, cylinder replacements, repairs, accidents, leaks, fires and component failures.
She said the system would enable relevant authorities to track vehicles, conversion centres, cylinders, installers, inspections and incident history.
On standards, Akingbagbohun said Nigeria had made significant technical progress in preparing for wider CNG adoption.
“Technically, Nigeria has made significant progress; institutionally and enforcement-wise, I would say there is still room to strengthen the systems as adoption expands,” she said.
She noted that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) had developed standards covering conversion kits, cylinders, electrical connections, diagnostics, vehicle safety and refuelling infrastructure.
The expert said continued coordination among SON, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), conversion centres, engineers and vehicle owners would further strengthen the programme.
Akingbagbohun also called for continued controls against uncertified or improperly reconditioned cylinders and components.
She said the ongoing training of technicians was important to building the human capacity required for the programme, adding that training should be complemented with certification and continuous professional development.
“For mass adoption, Nigeria needs a structured professional hierarchy,” she said.
She recommended that qualified engineers take technical responsibility for CNG conversions, particularly commercial fleets and high-capacity vehicles.
Akingbagbohun said CNG could deliver sustained savings if supported by efficient refuelling infrastructure, reliable gas supply and proper maintenance.
She noted that the Presidential CNG Initiative had indicated that CNG could be 40 per cent to 60 per cent cheaper per kilometre than petrol.
She called for the development of CNG corridors with reliable mother and daughter stations, adequate gas supply, backup compression, emergency-response systems and certified conversion centres.
Akingbagbohun said Nigeria could sustain the momentum of its CNG programme by ensuring that safety, technical competence, infrastructure and data systems developed alongside vehicle conversions.
“The biggest risk to Nigeria’s CNG programme is not CNG technology itself.
“It is the possibility that deployment could outpace engineering quality control, inspection capacity, gas infrastructure and professional competence,” she said.
Similarly, Mr Dele Clinton, Managing Director, Green Conversion and Assemble Ltd., called for continued strengthening of safety standards, licensing and periodic testing of CNG-powered vehicles.
Clinton urged the government to establish clear standards and penalties for conversion centres, alongside a licensing system distinguishing CNG vehicles from petrol, diesel and electric vehicles.
He proposed annual roadworthiness tests and dedicated safety inspection centres through public-private partnerships, while urging the government to collaborate with the private sector on accredited training.
Clinton said Nigeria had engineers and technicians capable of supporting the transition but stressed the importance of continuous training and certification.
He said sustained CNG affordability, combined with effective safety standards and skilled personnel, would strengthen public confidence in the programme.
