Shafa Energy, a key player in Nigeria’s sustainable energy sector, has officially launched its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) division, Shafa CNG, with the commissioning of its first CNG station in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.
The commissioning, held on Wednesday, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s transition toward cleaner, more affordable energy alternatives in line with the Federal Government’s drive to reduce dependence on petrol and eliminate fuel subsidies.
Speaking at the commissioning, Yakubu A. Maishanu, Executive Chairman and CEO of AYM Shafa Holdings Limited, highlighted the company’s strategic approach to CNG delivery and its long-term commitment to sustainable energy.
“This station is a testament to AYM Shafa’s commitment to reducing long queues and offering Nigerians a cleaner, more affordable alternative to petrol,”
He further disclosed plans to establish 20 CNG stations across Nigeria, with nine sets of equipment already on ground, and to construct three additional modern stations for supply security.
Ibrahim Abiodun Ali, Managing Director of Shafa Energy, echoed the company’s resolve to support Nigeria’s clean energy agenda.
“We have dedicated three caskets trucks that convey CNG each with a capacity of 8,500 cubic meters. For safety and regulatory compliance, each delivery will average 6,000 cubic meters,” he said.
He emphasised the company’s operational efficiency, noting that one casket will be in use, another on standby, and the third in transit, ensuring continuous availability.
The facility also boasts a high-performance compressor delivering 1,700 cubic meters of CNG per hour, with two dispensers housing four nozzles capable of dispensing 2,400 cubic meters per hour collectively.
“Our equipment is semi-automated, ensuring optimal pressure delivery at all times. We are not just promising reliability we are demonstrating it,” he added.
He also called for increased government support to expand infrastructure.
In his remarks, Michael Oluwagbemi, Program Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), commended AYM Shafa for aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to end the fuel subsidy regime and promote energy reform through the use of natural gas.
“This journey began a year ago with awareness campaigns and conversion programs. What we see today is evidence of collective progress,” Oluwagbemi said.
He commended Maishanu’s patriotism, revealing that the executive had urged President Tinubu to remove fuel subsidies despite personally benefiting from the regime.
Oluwagbemi stressed the urgency of expanding CNG access across the country, noting Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves. “Gas is available in over 30 states. We must harness it not just produce it, but distribute it to the common man for transportation, power, and industrial use,”
He added that as Nigeria marks two years since the removal of fuel subsidies, the launch of Shafa CNG is seen as a critical step in fulfilling the government’s promise of a more sustainable and economically viable energy future.
According to him, with demand already evident in the long queues seen at the Sabon Lugbe station, Oluwagbemi emphasized the private sector’s role in reshaping Nigeria’s energy landscape.
“The gap is in infrastructure. And it’s very important that the private sector steps up. As I always say, the government’s approach is to encourage and to enable the private sector. We don’t want to kill private enterprise or innovation. We want the private sector to step up to meet the demand.
“Because there’s capacity in the industry. Companies like AYM Shafa have been in the downstream industry for a very long time. And as they are seeing more and more of their customers move to CNG.
“It’s important that they move with their customers and serve their customers. And that’s what we’re seeing here today. And we’re going to support more of this.
“The significance here is that the private sector is stepping up. And it’s just one of many. Tomorrow, we’re going to be launching another one at the University of Abuja,” he stated
BusinessDay
