The recent surge in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) price hike across Nigeria has stirred confusion and public outrage, September 4, 2025, Abuja, Nigeria
However, the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNGI) has outrightly dismissed claims that the Federal Government ordered this increase.
This controversy raises critical questions about transparency, government accountability, and the private sector’s influence on essential fuel pricing.
Official Clarification from P-CNGI: No Government Directive on CNG Price Increase.
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Matilda Johnson, the Brands and Corporate Communications Manager of P-CNGI, spoke clearly.
She told journalists in Abuja that the Federal Government has never issued any directive to hike CNG price hike nationwide.
This official statement comes amid swirling rumors and misleading reports that incorrectly blame the government for increasing the pump price of CNG.
Johnson emphasized that CNG remains considerably cheaper and cleaner compared to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel fuels.
The recent price adjustments observed on various CNG pumps, she explained, resulted solely from private-sector decisions.
No government policy or subsidy removal justified these hikes.
She said, “The P-CNGI wishes to address recent misleading and outright false reports suggesting that the Federal Government has removed subsidies or increased the price of CNG. This is incorrect.”
Private Sector, Not Government, Responsible But Why the Sudden Price Hike?
The statement admits pricing is regulated by regulatory agencies, yet the price changes come from “certain operators.”
This vague attribution fails to clarify which private actors raised prices and under what justification.
Many analysts argue this lack of accountability from private fuel operators undermines public trust in the system.
CNG was introduced as a cheaper, cleaner alternative to fossil fuels with a promise of affordability and sustainability.
The sudden, unsupported hike contradicts these promises, raising suspicion about potential profiteering and market manipulation.
P-CNGI’s Mission and the Contradiction in Fuel Pricing
P-CNGI, established by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, was mandated to boost CNG adoption. nationwide.
Its mission focuses on providing Nigerians with an affordable, cleaner mobility fuel alternative.
So far, the initiative claims to have witnessed remarkable growth and enthusiasm in the sector.
However, this glowing narrative clashes with the current price scandal.
The increase in pump prices unauthorized by the government casts a shadow over the initiative’s touted success.
How can affordability be guaranteed if private operators hike prices arbitrarily?
This situation reveals a gap between policy goals and market realities, exposing Nigerians to yet another unexpected burden.
Who Really Controls Fuel Pricing in Nigeria?
The confusing signals about price authority expose an underlying problem in Nigeria’s energy sector regulation.
On the one hand, P-CNGI says the government has no control over these recent increments.
On the other, regulatory agencies supposedly govern pricing but apparently fail to enforce fairness.
This unclear division of responsibility has led to a lack of transparency.
Ordinary Nigerians suffer the consequences, shouldering higher costs as they rely on CNG to fuel their vehicles amid dwindling incomes and economic hardships.
The government’s reluctance to identify and sanction errant private operators signals regulatory weakness or complicity.
The Public’s Reaction: Outrage and Distrust
Social media and public forums have exploded with criticism following the price hike.
Many Nigerians accuse the government of playing a double game officially insisting prices remain stable, while indirectly allowing private companies to jack up costs.
This controversy fuels widespread distrust. It also questions the sincerity of the government’s commitment to affordable energy.
Citizens feel caught in a web of misinformation, with officials denying responsibility but failing to protect consumer interests from unchecked market forces.
Why This Matters: Fuel Prices Affect Every Nigerian
Fuel prices are not just figures on a board; they directly impact transportation, goods, and services costs across the country.
A hike in CNG prices means the incremental cost trickles down, affecting everything from commuting expenses to food prices.
Given Nigeria’s struggling economy and inflationary pressures, unexpected fuel price increases worsen hardships.
The lack of clear accountability further frustrates citizens who demand honesty and tangible relief from policy leaders.
The Need for Transparency and Enforcement
The P-CNGI statement clarifies that the Federal Government did not order CNG price hikes.
Yet, it fails to address why private operators made such sudden increases without explanation or regulation.
This incident reveals critical weaknesses in Nigeria’s regulatory oversight and raises serious doubts about private sector motives in the energy market.
Nigerians deserve transparency, government accountability, and strict enforcement against arbitrary price spikes.
Until these issues are confronted head-on, fuel price controversies will continue to undermine public confidence, fuel economic instability, and threaten the ambitious goals of clean, affordable mobility under Nigeria’s CNG initiative.
