The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has officially unveiled a fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, marking a significant step toward energy reform within military operations.
The commissioning ceremony, held at the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja, reflects the Federal Government’s broader clean energy strategy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Matawalle,in a statement signed by his personal assistant on Media Ahmad Dan-Wudil on Tuesday,described the initiative as a bold stride towards innovation, energy efficiency, and operational cost reduction in the nation’s defence logistics.
“This is more than new vehicles,” he said. “It’s a transformation of our military into a model of innovation and sustainability.”
The Defence Minister stated that the CNG initiative would reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and support Nigeria’s commitment to global climate targets.
Accompanied by top defence officials, including Permanent Secretary Ambassador Gabriel Aduda and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, the Minister toured the CNG fleet and even drove one of the vehicles himself.
He added that the new vehicles would bring long-term cost savings and environmental benefits, while also boosting morale and capability within the military.
The Minister urged for the rapid establishment of CNG refuelling stations across military formations to ensure continuous operation of the clean energy fleet.
He also emphasised the importance of building technical capacity among military personnel to maintain and operate the CNG vehicles effectively.
Among dignitaries present was Barrister Ismael Ahmad, Executive Chairman of the Presidential CNG Initiative, along with senior military officers and stakeholders in the energy sector.
Matawalle assured Nigerians that the military remains committed to defeating insurgency and that President Tinubu will continue to support all security efforts.
He called on citizens to keep the Armed Forces in their prayers and reiterated the government’s commitment to a cleaner, stronger, and more secure Nigeria.