Oluwanifemi Ibikunle
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed state governments to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas-powered and electric public transportation, saying Nigerians should begin to experience measurable reductions in transport fares from October 1, 2026.
The President made this known on Saturday while providing an update on the implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, following his August 27 meeting with the governors of the 36 states.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, an implementation committee has been established under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and is chaired by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Tinubu said the committee, the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, state governments and other stakeholders were working to identify priority transport corridors and determine interventions that could translate cheaper energy into lower fares.
The President said the urgency of the programme had increased amid what he described as the current global energy crisis, which he said was putting additional pressure on petrol and diesel prices.
“From October 1, more Nigerians should begin to see measurable reductions in transportation costs,” Tinubu said.
He urged governors to work with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversion and fleet deployment, and provide the infrastructure needed to expand alternative-energy transportation.
“Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” he said.
Tinubu cited several states where government-backed CNG and electric transport schemes have already resulted in lower fares.
In Borno State, he said CNG-powered and electric public transport services were carrying commuters for between N50 and N100 on routes where commercial operators charge between N300 and N600.
In Kaduna, the President said 100 CNG-powered buses had provided free transportation on major routes and carried about 3.2 million passengers during their first year, resulting in more than N3.5bn in savings for commuters.
He also cited Oyo State, where CNG buses deployed by Pacesetter Transport reportedly reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about N8,000 to N3,200 during the initial deployment.
In Adamawa, Tinubu said alternative-energy transit services had reduced fares by as much as 50 per cent, from N8,000 to N4,000, while in Enugu, the deployment of 100 CNG buses had brought the Enugu-Nsukka fare down from N2,500 to N1,500.
In Plateau State, he said government-supported buses carry about 13,000 commuters daily at N200, compared with commercial fares of more than N500.
The President also disclosed that CNG-converted commercial vehicles operating on several Abuja routes were offering passengers a 40 per cent fare reduction through a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
He gave the Area 1-Gwagwalada route as an example, saying the fare had fallen from N1,500 to N900, while fares from Nyanya and Wuse had dropped from N700 to N420 and N400 to N240 respectively.
On the Suleja-Abuja route in Niger State, Tinubu said passengers were paying N550 compared with about N800, while Abia State had deployed 40 electric buses with fares subsidised by 50 per cent.
“These are not projections. Nigerians are already experiencing these savings,” the President said.
Tinubu said the Federal Government had spent the past three years building a CNG transportation ecosystem as part of efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on petrol and cushion commuters against energy-price shocks.
According to him, more than 120,000 vehicles have so far been converted to CNG, while more than 400 certified conversion centres and over 90 CNG refuelling stations are operating across the country.
He said the expansion was continuing, with Edo already having 50 CNG buses in active service and Kano having converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles.
He added that Delta, Kwara and Lagos were expanding CNG-supported transport services, while Akwa Ibom had received 50 CNG buses ahead of commercial operations.
Tinubu ruled out a return to the petrol subsidy regime, arguing that the government should instead accelerate the development of cheaper alternative energy sources.
“At a time like this, our answer cannot be to return to the ruinous petrol subsidy regime that consumed trillions of naira and left our economy exposed to every movement in international oil prices,” he said.
He maintained that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources could help reduce the country’s exposure to fluctuations in international energy markets.
“Nigeria cannot control events in global energy markets. But as a gas-rich nation, we can reduce our exposure,” the President said.
The President urged all state governments to maintain momentum ahead of October 1 and ensure that the benefits of CNG and electric transportation are reflected in what commuters actually pay.
The Federal Government, he said, would continue to support the expansion of CNG infrastructure, increase conversion capacity and create an enabling environment for states, transport operators, manufacturers and private investors to participate.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
