In the wake of efforts by president Tinubu’s administration to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal in the country, the government rolled out the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to migrate vehicles users from dependence on fuel/petrol to natural gas. The initiative which sought to facilitate the use of compressed natural gas as fuel source derived from natural gas that has been compressed to a fraction of its original volume a cleaner and more affordable alternative to petrol and diesel, particularly in the transportation sector. This resulted into the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative which Barr Ismaeel Buba Ahmed was appointed by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to head as its executive chairman.
Barr Ahmed who formerly served as the pioneer national youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of the top young progressives in Northern Nigeria and ardent supporters of president Tinubu in Kano state. His rich political profile fits the aspiration of many young Nigerians wishing to pave their way into Nigeria’s tough political space considering he is just 45 years old.
In 2011, he contested for, and won the primary election to represent Nassarawa Federal Constituency, Kano State, at the House of Representatives under the Congress for Progress Change (CPC). In 2012, he was selected as a member of the Renewal Committee for the party after which in 2013 the party went into a merger with major opposition parties in Nigeria leading to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ismaeel Ahmed was a member of the manifesto sub-committee that worked towards the merger. Following on the heels of the formation of the APC, Ismaeel founded the Youth Wing of the new party, known as the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF). He occupied the position of Chairman of the APYF from 2013 until March 2018 when he handed over to Ife Adebayo.
Towards the build up to the general elections in 2015, Ismaeel served as Secretary, Membership Registration Committee for Kastina State, APC; Member, State Congresses Committee Kastina State, APC; and Member, APC Presidential Primaries Convention, all in 2014. In 2015, he served on the following Directorates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council: Directorate of Contact and Mobilization; Directorate of Policy and Strategy; Directorate of Security and Intelligence; and Directorate of Youth Mobilization. He also served on the Sub-Committee on Venue and Entertainment, Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, 2015.
In 2016, Ismaeel Ahmed was the Chairman, Monitoring Committee, APC Gubernatorial Primaries, Ondo State; and Chairman, APC Gubernatorial and Legislative Primaries. Nasarawa State in 2018. He served as Deputy Director, Directorate of Youth, APC Presidential Campaign Council in 2019. He is currently serving as member, National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Barr Ahmed also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) which aimed to promote equitable resource distribution to vulnerable populations, such as children, youth, and women.
Despite being a firm member of the CPC block of the All Progressives Congress, he has remained equivocal in support of president Tinubu’s administration and worked relentlessly in ensuring the victory of the party in Kano during the 2023 general elections. The appointment to lead the PCNG Initiative is a weave of confidence in Ahmed to not only drive national participation in the initiative, but to leverage on his office to ensure the majority of Northern population enjoy the benefits. This will enhance the food production through low cost of transportation and eradication of poverty in the region.
He brings to bear his training as a lawyer, youth leader, public relations and communication expert. A graduate of the University of Abuja with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2005 and Master’s degree in International relations, communications and diplomacy from Webster University in the United States, there is no doubt that president Tinubu made the right fix for one who brings vibrancy, proclivity and dexterity in driving the initiative.