In September 2024, a website with a design similar to the official “Renewed Hope” portal claimed that the Federal Government had launched a scheme to provide free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits to every private car owner in Nigeria. The site asked users to pay a “processing fee” of ₦5,000 to reserve their kit and choose a pickup location.
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) issued a warning that the website is a scam. While the government has indeed launched a massive push for CNG to reduce fuel costs, the “free” conversion program is currently targeted at commercial transport unions (such as NURTW and RTEAN) to lower public transportation fares. For private car owners, the government has facilitated “conversion incentive programs” and partnerships with workshops to reduce costs, but it is not a “free for all” giveaway.
The P-CNGi emphasized that the government does not collect “processing fees” through third-party websites or personal bank accounts. Legitimate conversion centers are listed on the official P-CNGi website, and payments for subsidized kits are handled through authorized financial channels. Thousands of Nigerians were warned not to fall for the scam, which exploited the high cost of petrol to defraud motorists. The government continues to expand the CNG infrastructure, but private owners are advised to verify all “free” offers through official ministry channels.
