Nigerian auto magnate and founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Innocent Chukwuma, has announced plans to build a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle assembly plant in Bayelsa State. 

He described the move as a major step toward expanding local production and promoting cleaner, cheaper transportation across Nigeria.

Chukwuma made the announcement during his visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa. He said the new factory will produce CNG-powered buses, ambulances, and utility vehicles, helping operators save fuel costs while reducing harmful emissions.

According to Innoson spokesperson Kamsi Ejiofor, the Bayelsa plant will create about 1,000 direct jobs and thousands more through logistics and spare parts supply. 

“This project is part of our mission to grow Nigeria’s manufacturing base and support the switch to cleaner energy in transport,” Ejiofor said.

Governor Diri welcomed the investment and pledged the state government’s full support. He noted that Bayelsa’s 2026 budget already includes plans to purchase CNG vehicles, adding that the state will provide the infrastructure and policy incentives needed to make the project successful.

“This comes at an important time for our state,” Diri said. “Bayelsa must become a center of production, not just consumption. Innoson’s investment here is a strong vote of confidence.”

For Chukwuma, who started Innoson from a small trading venture and turned it into Nigeria’s biggest indigenous automaker, the Bayelsa project reflects his long-standing vision, to build industries that empower communities beyond the country’s major commercial hubs.

“Our mission has always been to create jobs and build industries that serve Nigerians,” he said. “Setting up this plant in Bayelsa is another way to make that vision real.”