Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Nigeria’s pioneering indigenous automaker, has announced plans to establish a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle assembly plant in Bayelsa State, marking a major step in Nigeria’s transition toward cleaner energy mobility. The project was unveiled during a meeting between IVM Chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, and Governor Douye Diri in Yenagoa, where both parties affirmed their commitment to promoting industrial development in the Niger Delta region, as reported by Independent Nigeria.
The proposed plant will focus on producing CNG-powered buses, ambulances, and utility vehicles, designed to reduce emissions and fuel costs while boosting local production capacity. Innoson’s Corporate Communications Manager, Kamsi Ejiofor, said the initiative will “help save cost from fuel and maintenance, improve health, and ensure cleaner air,” aligning with Nigeria’s 2030 renewable energy goals. The project is expected to create around 1,000 direct jobs and stimulate ancillary industries, Independent Nigeria reported.
Governor Diri expressed strong support for the project, noting that Bayelsa’s inclusion of CNG vehicle purchases in its 2026 budget underscores its commitment to sustainable industrialization. “This investment will not only diversify our economy but also position Bayelsa as a key player in Nigeria’s emerging clean energy automotive sector,” Diri said.
Industry analysts suggest that the new facility could play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s automotive value chain by reducing import dependency and expanding the country’s manufacturing footprint. As highlighted by Independent Nigeria, the initiative also reflects growing public and private collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to alternative fuel technologies amid rising petrol costs.
