The Federal Government has flagged off the deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses in Nigerian universities.

In a statement on Friday, Louis Mbah, spokesperson for Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), said the government official launched the special palliative relief on university transportation (SPROUT) programme at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.

“In a significant step towards realising President Bola Tinubu’s vision of affordable energy solutions to enhance transportation, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has inaugurated the Special Palliative Relief on University Transportation (SPROUT) programme at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja,” the statement reads.

According to the statement, the initiative will provide gas-powered buses and tricycles for use on university campuses, offering a cost-effective, safe, and eco-friendly transportation solution.

Speaking at the event, Ekpo said SPROUT, driven by CNG, is designed to ease the financial strain of transportation for students, lecturers, and other members of tertiary institutions nationwide.

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“We are not only mitigating the impact of recent subsidy reforms but also laying the foundation for a modern, gas-driven transport economy,” Ekpo said.

“This initiative could not have come at a more critical time.

“As Nigeria navigates the pathway of energy reform, economic adjustment, and transition to cleaner fuels, the need to cushion the impact on our most vulnerable populations, including our student community, remains a key national priority.”

He commended FEMADEC Energy, the contractor, for their vision, commitment, and leadership in bringing the project to life.

The minister also lauded the midstream and downstream gas infrastructure fund (MDGIF), which funded the project.

“This is not just a transport solution, it is a jobs and industrialisation pathway. In the coming months, we will be unveiling further incentives for CNG vehicle conversion, expanding refuelling infrastructure, and supporting local assembly and innovation in the CNG value chain,” Ekpo said.

On his part, Fola Akinnola, managing director of FEMADEC, provided further insight into the scope of the SPROUT programme, describing it as an integrated project that goes beyond just providing buses and tricycles.

Akinnola said the programme includes a gas curriculum that will enable students to work on CNG technology and develop skills in conversion kits, among other areas.