Executive Summary
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) was established to accelerate the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cleaner, more affordable fuel alternative across Nigeria. Achieving nationwide rollout across all 36 states required coordinated engagement and alignment among government agencies, regulators, transport unions, and private sector stakeholders.
iCentra was engaged to design and deliver a high-impact National Stakeholder Co-Creation Session to translate policy intent into coordinated, practical implementation actions. Through a structured engagement model and end-to-end execution support, the session successfully aligned key stakeholders, strengthened shared ownership, and provided clear pathways for nationwide CNG adoption.
Background
Organizational Context
PiCNG represents a strategic national effort to promote energy transition, reduce fuel costs, and support sustainable transportation across Nigeria. The initiative operates within a complex multi-stakeholder ecosystem requiring alignment across federal agencies, regulatory bodies, state representatives, and private operators.
To successfully drive adoption at scale, PiCNG needed to:
- Align diverse stakeholders behind a unified national rollout strategy
- Translate high-level policy direction into coordinated implementation plans
- Foster collaboration between regulators, implementers, and beneficiaries
- Build shared ownership across federal and state actors
Initial Challenge
Despite strong policy backing, PiCNG faced critical coordination challenges:
- Multiple stakeholders with varying priorities and mandates
- Risk of fragmented implementation across states
- Need for structured engagement to convert strategy into action
- Requirement for a well-designed, high-level national session capable of producing tangible outcomes
The initiative required more than a conventional stakeholder meeting—it needed a carefully structured, outcome-driven co-creation platform.
Project Approach
Partnership with iCentra
iCentra was engaged to provide full end-to-end advisory and execution support for the National Stakeholder Co-Creation Session. The mandate covered strategic session design, stakeholder coordination, facilitation support, and comprehensive event execution management.
The engagement focused on ensuring that the session would not only convene stakeholders but also deliver actionable outputs and sustained alignment.
Key Project Objectives
The initiative aimed to:
- Design a structured, outcome-oriented national co-creation session
- Identify and engage critical public and private stakeholders
- Facilitate alignment on nationwide CNG rollout priorities
- Generate practical action pathways for implementation across 36 states
- Strengthen cross-sector collaboration and ownership
Phased Delivery Model
Phase 1: Strategy & Design (Planning Phase)
- Definition of session objectives and desired outcomes
- Identification and mapping of key stakeholders
- Development of a structured agenda and engagement framework
- Design of interactive working sessions to promote joint problem-solving
Phase 2: Execution & Facilitation (Delivery Phase)
- Stakeholder coordination and engagement management
- End-to-end logistics planning and event execution
- Facilitation support during plenary and breakout sessions
- Documentation of insights, decisions, and action priorities
Key Project Milestones
- Completion of stakeholder mapping and engagement strategy
- Finalization of structured co-creation agenda
- Successful convening of national stakeholders including SON, FRSC, NMDPRA, and other key agencies
- Delivery of interactive working sessions focused on implementation priorities
- Consolidation of agreed action pathways for nationwide rollout
Implementation Process
1. Diagnostic & Stakeholder Mapping
A structured mapping exercise identified critical stakeholders across regulatory, operational, and policy levels. This ensured inclusive representation and comprehensive dialogue.
2. Strategic Session Design
The session was designed using a co-creation framework that prioritized interaction over passive participation. Breakout sessions and guided discussions were structured to extract practical solutions and implementation insights.
3. Execution & Facilitation Support
Comprehensive event lifecycle management was provided—from logistics coordination to on-site execution management. Facilitation support ensured discussions remained focused, productive, and outcome-driven.
4. Governance & Alignment Structuring
The outputs of the session were synthesized into clear priorities and coordinated action pathways, supporting structured implementation beyond the event itself.
5. Post-Session Consolidation
Key insights and commitments were documented to ensure continuity, accountability, and follow-through across participating institutions.
Outcomes and Impact
Organizational and Ecosystem Benefits
- Successful delivery of a high-impact national co-creation event with broad stakeholder participation
- Stronger alignment between public and private stakeholders on the PiCNG rollout strategy
- Clearer shared priorities and coordinated action pathways for CNG adoption across 36 states
- Enhanced collaboration between regulators, agencies, and transport stakeholders
- Conversion of national policy vision into structured implementation direction
Sustainability and Continuous Evolution
The co-creation session established a foundation for sustained cross-stakeholder collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s CNG transition agenda. By fostering shared ownership and practical alignment, the initiative strengthened its ability to move from strategic vision to coordinated execution at both federal and state levels.
The structured engagement approach demonstrated the importance of collaborative governance models in driving large-scale national programs.
Conclusion
The partnership between PiCNG and iCentra underscores the critical role of structured stakeholder alignment in national transformation initiatives. By designing and executing an outcome-driven co-creation platform, the initiative successfully mobilized diverse actors around a shared implementation agenda.
This engagement illustrates how strategic facilitation, governance structuring, and coordinated execution can accelerate complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
Key Lessons Learned
- Large-scale national initiatives require structured stakeholder alignment mechanisms.
- Co-creation formats generate stronger ownership than traditional briefing sessions.
- Clear documentation and synthesis are essential to convert dialogue into action.
- Effective execution management is critical for high-level, multi-agency engagements.
Future Outlook
With strengthened stakeholder alignment and clearer implementation pathways, PiCNG is better positioned to accelerate CNG adoption nationwide. Continued collaboration and structured engagement will remain critical to sustaining momentum and achieving long-term impact across Nigeria’s energy and transport ecosystem.
