By Prosper Okoye
Certified Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders installed in vehicles do not pose an explosion risk when properly manufactured and installed, a senior official of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and EV said Thursday, seeking to reassure Nigerians as the country expands the use of gas-powered transport.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 Nigeria Gas Safety Conference in Abuja, the initiative’s Chief Compliance Officer, Engr. Zayyanu Tambari, said fears about CNG cylinders exploding inside vehicle trunks were unfounded, provided the cylinders meet national safety standards.
“If a cylinder is licensed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, then it is well made,” he said.
“The gas is designed for 220 bar of pressure, and the cylinders are designed to take more pressure, up to 300 bar.”
Tambari said changes in temperature inside a vehicle would not cause certified cylinders to explode, adding that the products are engineered with safety margins well above their normal operating pressure.
He also urged motorists to avoid counterfeit cylinders, saying fake products can often be identified by poor construction.
“When you see those cylinders, they are usually so thick and have welded parts,” he said. “Once you see those signs, it is a flag that something is wrong with the cylinder.”
Beyond safety, Tambari acknowledged that commuters have yet to benefit from lower transport fares despite commercial drivers purchasing CNG at a lower price than petrol.
He attributed the situation to the relatively small number of CNG-powered commercial vehicles currently operating, saying limited competition has allowed some drivers to retain higher fares.
“This is a teething problem, and basically the desire of the drivers to maximize profit,” he said.
Tambari expressed confidence that transport costs would gradually decline as more commercial operators switch to CNG, increasing competition across the sector.
He described the Nigeria Gas Safety Conference as an important platform for government and private-sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in building a safer and more reliable gas industry as Nigeria pursues its transition to a gas-powered economy.
