Emissions Control | Expert Urges Phase-Out of Diesel Engines to Combat Pollution

An energy expert, Mr. Quadri Fatai, has called for the gradual phase-out of diesel-powered engines in Nigeria as a critical step toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) and fugitive methane emissions by up to 60 percent. He emphasized the importance of transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources to meet the country’s climate goals.

Mr. Fatai, who serves as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Alfa Design Nigeria Limited, made this recommendation during a briefing held Monday in Abuja. He highlighted that switching from diesel engines to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) systems or other cleaner technologies would not only reduce harmful emissions but also bolster Nigeria’s energy security.

“Converting diesel-powered engines to CNG or adopting greener energy technologies would significantly reduce carbon soot emissions, which are harmful to both the environment and human health,” he said.

He commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for establishing clear guidelines on GHG emissions, which aim to mitigate the environmental and social impacts associated with the release of methane and other gases during petroleum operations.

According to Fatai, embracing cleaner alternatives is vital to minimizing carbon soot—a by-product of diesel combustion—which contributes heavily to air pollution and climate change.

“As it stands, Nigeria should be actively winding down the use of diesel engines, in line with our national GHG reduction targets. The government has already committed to ending routine gas flaring and cutting methane emissions by 60 percent by 2030,” he said.

He explained that these pollutants trap infrared radiation from space, contributing to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere—a primary driver of climate change.

Fatai also pointed out the economic benefits of transitioning to alternative fuels, especially given the rising cost of diesel and Nigeria’s abundant natural gas reserves. He urged stakeholders and the public to rally behind the push for cleaner energy solutions.

“With gas readily available and significantly cheaper, it only makes economic sense to promote and adopt CNG as an alternative fuel,” he said. “We must act swiftly to implement this solution and reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel use.”

As part of its contribution to a cleaner energy future, Alfa Design Nigeria Limited announced plans to commence large-scale conversion of diesel-powered engines to CNG systems nationwide.

This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader climate commitments. The country ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2016 and has since implemented several ambitious measures to lower emissions across various sectors. Under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Nigeria pledged in 2021 to cut GHG emissions by 47 percent by 2030, conditional on international support.

To meet these targets, key abatement strategies outlined by the NUPRC include the elimination of routine gas flaring by 2030 and a 60 percent reduction in methane emissions. These goals were further reinforced by the passage of Nigeria’s first climate change law, following the COP26 conference in Glasgow.