Nigeria’s Gas Transition Was Never About the People That’s Why It Failed

By Joseph Emenike Beke

Introduction

When Nigeria announced its bold move to transition from petrol to natural gas, many of us were hopeful. With one of the largest gas reserves in the world over 200 trillion cubic feet this should have been our golden moment to reposition the economy, reduce environmental harm, and bring affordable energy to the people.

But years later, what do we have?

Petrol prices are up. Cooking gas is now a luxury for the middle class. The number of vehicles running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is negligible. And millions of Nigerians still cook with firewood, inhale toxic fumes, and burn their dwindling incomes on generator fuel.

This wasn’t just a failed transition — it was a performative policy masked as progress.

The Promise: Gas as the Future

When the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) launched in 2020, it came with promises:

Lower transport and cooking costs for everyday Nigerians.
Cleaner air and reduced emissions.
Job creation through gas refilling stations and conversion workshops.
Energy security through local resource utilization.

2021 was even declared the “Year of Gas” by the Federal Government. For once, it seemed like Nigeria was on the right side of history.

But the intentions, though commendable, were never backed by infrastructure, realistic timelines, or public education. The result? A policy that collapsed under the weight of its own ambition.

What Really Went Wrong?

1. No Infrastructure to Support the Shift

You can’t promote a gas-powered economy without building the foundation first. Where were the:

CNG refueling stations?
Affordable conversion centers?
Pipelines connecting gas to the last mile?

The government skipped the groundwork and went straight to headlines.

2. Conversion Costs Were Out of Reach

Converting a car or generator to CNG cost between ₦200,000 and ₦500,000 in a country where over 60% live on less than $2 a day. No grants. No real subsidies. Just press statements and expectations.

3. LPG Prices Skyrocketed

Even cooking gas, which was supposed to be the most accessible part of this transition, became more expensive due to poor regulation, import dependency, and forex instability. The average Nigerian family moved back to firewood.

4. Policy Without the People

There was no massive public campaign to educate Nigerians on the shift, no incentives to embrace it, and no protection for early adopters. A policy that does not carry the people along is a policy designed to fail.

What Could Have Been Done Differently?

If Nigeria truly wanted to move from petrol to gas, here’s what a people-first strategy would have looked like:

Government-funded CNG conversion for commercial vehicles (e.g. buses, keke, taxis).
Rural gas infrastructure: mini LPG plants and distribution hubs in every LGA.
Regulated gas pricing backed by local production.
Public-private partnerships to build refueling stations across major cities.
Media campaigns and incentives to shift consumer behavior over time.
Heavy investment in gas-powered electricity projects to power homes and industries.

A Missed Opportunity with Lasting Impact

This wasn’t just a failed transition; it was a missed opportunity to industrialize using our most abundant natural resource. While other countries turn gas into power, fertilizers, plastics, and cleaner fuel, Nigeria is still debating basic distribution logistics.

It’s not a lack of resources.
It’s not a lack of demand.
It’s a lack of leadership with vision and courage.

Conclusion: Fixing the Future

Nigeria’s gas transition failed because it was built on paper, not on pipelines.

If we are to move forward, we need to re-approach gas not just as a commodity, but as a strategic tool for nation-building. Let’s stop crafting policies for headlines and start building systems that last.

Our gas wealth means nothing if it doesn’t cook our food, power our homes, move our buses, and create jobs. It’s time to stop exporting raw resources and start delivering real solutions.

The next energy revolution in Nigeria must begin with the people or it will fail again.