NMDPRA commissions CNG refueling facility at Ile-Ife

Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin

Lagos — The Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, MDGIF, a Directorate of the NMDPRA has commissioned an integrated Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, refueling facility at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, marking another milestone in its mandate to catalyse investments across Nigeria’s gas value chain and deepen domestic gas utilisation.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Director, MDGIF, Mr Oluwole Adama, described the project as a practical demonstration of Nigeria’s gas based energy transition. He noted that the OAU facility is one of 20 CNG refuelling projects being deployed across federal universities to promote cleaner mobility, expand access to gas infrastructure and deliver measurable socio economic benefits.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, commended the initiative, stating that the project, designed to serve both the University and the surrounding community, will foster research opportunities, practical learning and innovation in alternative fuels.

He added that it will also strengthen relations between the University and the host community, promote sustainable transportation and create shared economic value.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr Akinnola Fola, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering safe, efficient and scalable CNG infrastructure nationwide through strong public and private sector collaboration.

The OAU CNG station is 1 out of 20 collaboration between MDGIF, Femadec Energy Limited and the Presidential CNG Initiative, PCNGi, to build integrated CNG ecosystems at 20 federal universities nationwide.

The project is designed to reduce transportation costs and pollution on campus. It will provide CNG buses and vehicle conversion services to students, staff and neighboring communities to foster cleaner mobility, practical research and community engagement.

In support of clean transport within the institution, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, donated 50 CNG-powered buses, while PiCNG donated 10 CNG-powered tricycles to provide more affordable mobility for students and staff, while promoting the adoption of cleaner fuel alternatives.

Femadec Energy Limited, the technical partner on the project, is a Nigerian clean energy company active in gas infrastructure development, vehicle conversion services and gas powered transport solutions.