By Peter Omopo
Abuja | June 28, 2025 — President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ismael Ahmed, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi).
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Ahmed will oversee and coordinate the PCNGi’s operations, which form part of the administration’s broader efforts to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal by providing Nigerians with cheaper, more accessible, and environmentally friendly energy alternatives.
The PCNGi is one of the cornerstone programmes under Tinubu’s palliative strategy to ease the transition from petrol dependency to cleaner fuel sources, especially for transportation and small-scale businesses.
Ahmed, 45, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Abuja, earned in 2005. He previously served as Senior Special Assistant on Social Investment to President Buhari and was a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council.
His appointment is expected to inject renewed momentum into the rollout of CNG-powered vehicles and infrastructure across the country.
