By Faridat Salifu
Shafa Energy, a subsidiary of AYM Shafa Holdings Limited, has announced the official launch of its first compressed natural gas (CNG) station recently in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
The new station, branded Shafa CNG, is part of the company’s strategic investment in alternative energy and reflects its commitment to affordable, sustainable mobility.
The company said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s national energy policy, which prioritises reducing transport costs through the adoption of CNG as a cleaner alternative to petrol.
Speaking at the pre-launch announcement, Executive Chairman of AYM Shafa Holdings, Yakubu Maishanu, described Shafa CNG as a timely and impactful response to Nigeria’s evolving energy needs.
He said the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023 accelerated the search for cheaper alternatives, especially in the transportation sector, where fuel remains a major operating cost.
Maishanu added that compressed natural gas offers up to 40 percent savings compared to petrol, making it an increasingly attractive option for both commercial and private vehicle owners.
According to the company, the Abuja station is only the beginning of a wider national rollout of CNG infrastructure that will target major cities and transport hubs.
The launch forms part of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, which was introduced in 2023 to support the mass transition to gas-powered vehicles.
Under the initiative, the Federal Government aims to deploy one million CNG vehicles by 2027 and establish over 1,000 refuelling and vehicle conversion centres nationwide.
Maishanu revealed that the number of operational CNG conversion centres in Nigeria has grown from just seven to 193 in under two years, showing rapid sectoral progress.
He also noted that the initiative has attracted more than $440 million in private sector investments, signalling rising investor confidence in Nigeria’s gas transition agenda.
The Abuja station is designed to serve taxis, buses, fleet operators, and private motorists who are shifting to gas-powered transport due to rising petrol costs.
Shafa Energy said its CNG stations will prioritise safety, reliability, and affordability while supporting Nigeria’s climate goals and emissions reduction commitments.
The company emphasised that transitioning to CNG not only eases economic pressure on citizens but also contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport.
Maishanu said the launch of Shafa CNG demonstrates the company’s readiness to lead in clean energy innovation within Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector.
He described the venture as both an environmental obligation and a business opportunity that reflects long-term trends in global and local energy use.
According to him, the future of mobility in Nigeria must be cleaner, cheaper, and more accessible, and Shafa intends to play a central role in that transition.
The company said it would continue to work closely with federal agencies, private investors, and other partners to ensure that CNG adoption scales up quickly and efficiently.
Maishanu added that Shafa CNG represents not just a product launch, but a wider commitment to economic inclusion, environmental responsibility, and national development.
He called on transport unions, fleet managers, and logistics operators to consider CNG as a smart and sustainable fuel choice amid Nigeria’s changing energy landscape.
With the Abuja station now operational, Shafa Energy confirmed that new stations are already being planned for key locations across the northern and southern regions.
The company concluded by stating that its vision is to be a national leader in clean transport energy, contributing to job creation, lower emissions, and long-term energy security.