The Nigerian military has taken a big step toward greener and more cost-effective operations with the launch of a new fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles. The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, officially unveiled the fleet on Tuesday at the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja.
This initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at promoting clean energy and sustainability across the country. According to Matawalle, the move will reduce the military’s dependence on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and save operational costs in the long run.
“This is more than new vehicles,” the Minister said. “It’s a transformation of our military into a model of innovation and sustainability.”
Top defence officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and Permanent Secretary Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, were present at the ceremony. Matawalle even personally drove one of the CNG vehicles, highlighting the government’s commitment to energy reform within the armed forces.
The Minister called for the quick establishment of CNG refuelling stations in military bases across the country to ensure smooth operations of the new fleet. He also stressed the need for training military personnel on how to maintain and use the CNG vehicles.
Barrister Ismael Ahmad, Executive Chairman of the Presidential CNG Initiative, was among the dignitaries at the event. Matawalle reassured Nigerians that the military remains dedicated to fighting insurgency and that President Tinubu fully supports the nation’s security efforts.
He urged Nigerians to continue praying for the armed forces and reiterated the government’s goal of building a cleaner, stronger, and safer Nigeria.