Yola, Adamawa State – In a major boost to Nigeria’s energy sector and clean fuel transition, the Federal Government has inaugurated the first Liquefied to Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) hub in the North-East region, located in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State. This milestone is part of the broader ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, a national strategy to make gas the country’s primary energy source by 2030.

The LCNG hub, a first of its kind in the region, is designed to decompress Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for distribution across households, industries, and the transportation sector. The project aims to provide cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy, especially in Nigeria’s underserved areas.

Strategic Energy Milestone for Northern Nigeria

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the development as a transformative moment for energy equity in Nigeria.

“This LCNG facility in Yola signifies our resolve to ensure that no region is left behind in the clean energy transition. It supports job creation, boosts economic activities, and reduces dependence on fossil fuels,” the minister noted.

The launch comes amid increasing global calls for energy sustainability, and represents a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s approach to gas distribution beyond conventional pipelines.

Why LCNG Matters

The LCNG model addresses several challenges in gas infrastructure, particularly:

• Geographical limitations: With pipelines mostly in southern Nigeria, many northern communities lack direct access to gas.

• Affordability: CNG is significantly cheaper than diesel or petrol, making it attractive to transport operators and industries.

• Environmental concerns: CNG produces fewer carbon emissions, aiding Nigeria’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

According to energy experts, this model could fast-track gas penetration across off-grid areas while attracting investment in decentralized energy infrastructure.

Technical and Economic Benefits

The Yola LCNG hub is equipped with:

• Storage tanks for LNG with cryogenic insulation

• Decompression systems to convert LNG to CNG

• CNG loading bays for onward distribution via trucks

This allows gas to be transported economically to locations far from traditional pipelines.

The facility is expected to:

• Create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs

• Serve residential, commercial, and industrial clients across the North-East

• Support CNG-powered vehicles and transit systems, especially in Yola and neighboring cities

Tied to Nigeria’s ‘Decade of Gas’ Agenda

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has reiterated its commitment to fully implement the ‘Decade of Gas’ policy, which was first introduced in 2020 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The vision is to transition Nigeria from an oil-based to a gas-powered economy by 2030.

According to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigeria holds over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, one of the largest in Africa. Yet, domestic utilization remains below potential.

Community and Stakeholder Reactions

Community leaders, energy experts, and business owners in Adamawa hailed the project as a lifeline for economic revitalization, especially in a region historically impacted by energy poverty and insecurity.

“We now have access to cleaner fuel for cooking, for our generators, and even for our small industries. This will reduce costs and improve safety,” said Abubakar Mohammed, a local entrepreneur in Yola.

Looking Forward

The federal government plans to replicate this model in other underserved regions, with additional hubs expected in Kano, Maiduguri, and Jos in the coming year. Partnerships with private sector players like NIPCO Gas and Gasco Marine are central to scaling LCNG projects nationwide.

As Nigeria races toward cleaner and more inclusive energy, the Yola LCNG hub represents a practical, innovative step in the journey to energy security, sustainability, and economic inclusion.

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Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by kingstar