At dawn on September 3, 2025, long queues of restless drivers stretched outside CNG stations.
The sudden removal of subsidy had turned Nigeria’s promise of cheaper fuel into a struggle with soaring prices.
On the morning of Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the atmosphere at many Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across Nigeria was tense.
Drivers lined up their vehicles, some waiting for hours, as the news spread quickly: the Federal Government had removed the subsidy on CNG.
The price shock came immediately.
Only a few days before, motorists were paying about ₦220–₦230 per standard cubic metre (SCM).
Now, the cost had nearly doubled, jumping to between ₦420 and ₦450, depending on the station.
Truck operators complained the most, with their bills rising to ₦450 per SCM.
Bus drivers, who depend on affordable fuel for daily transport, were still charged slightly lower, around ₦380
Government’s Plan For Deregulation
For the government, this was not a sudden decision.
Officials explained that the subsidy removal was part of a larger plan.
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) had spoken of full deregulation.
They argued that removing subsidies would save money for the country and open the doors for private investors to grow the gas sector.
But for many Nigerians, the reality on the ground was very different.
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Queues at CNG stations grew longer by the day.
Frustrated drivers, who had already spent large amounts converting their cars and buses from petrol to gas, now questioned if their sacrifice was worth it.
Some even thought of returning to petrol, despite the higher running cost, because the new CNG price seemed too heavy to bear.
Was CNG still the affordable hope it once was?
Government officials insisted that CNG was still cheaper than petrol, reminding citizens that more than 100,000 vehicles had already been converted.
They pointed to new construction projects, saying more stations and conversion centres were coming across the nation.
Yet, for ordinary drivers and transport operators, these promises felt distant compared to the immediate struggle of paying nearly double for fuel.
By evening, conversations at motor parks and roadside shops all turned to one question.
Was CNG still the affordable hope it once promised to be?.
The removal of the subsidy was meant to strengthen the economy and build a future of cleaner energy.
But for now, many Nigerians were left with uncertainty, long queues, and higher costs that made everyday life even harder.
The story of CNG in Nigeria has now shifted.
What began as a bright alternative to petrol is at a crossroads, caught between government plans for reform and the daily challenges of those who depend on it most.
