President Bola Tinubu has directed state governments to accelerate the implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, with a target of delivering lower transport fares to more Nigerians from October 1, 2026.
Tinubu disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the initiative was agreed upon with the 36 state governors during a meeting on August 27.
He said an implementation committee had since been established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as its chairman.
“I am aware of the considerable work already underway by the committee, PI-CNG & EV, the states, and other critical stakeholders to identify priority transport corridors, determine appropriate interventions, and put the necessary arrangements in place,” Tinubu said.
“This work has become even more urgent amid the current global energy crisis.”
States record lower transport fares
The President cited several states where CNG-powered and electric transport services have already reduced fares for commuters.
In Borno, he said CNG and electric public transport services carry passengers for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.
In Kaduna, Tinubu said 100 CNG-powered buses provide free transport on major routes. According to him, the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year and saved commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in transport costs.
He also cited Oyo, where he said the deployment of CNG buses by Pacesetter Transport reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial deployment.
In Adamawa, Tinubu said alternative-energy transport services had reduced fares by as much as 50 per cent, from ₦8,000 to ₦4,000, while 100 CNG buses in Enugu reduced the Enugu-Nsukka fare from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.
He said government-supported buses in Plateau transport about 13,000 passengers daily for ₦200, compared with more than ₦500 charged by commercial operators.
Abuja fares also reduced
Tinubu said passengers using CNG-converted commercial vehicles on some Abuja routes were benefiting from fare reductions of 40 per cent through a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
He said the Area 1-Gwagwalada fare had dropped from ₦1,500 to ₦900, while the Nyanya fare fell from ₦700 to ₦420.
The Wuse fare, he added, had declined from ₦400 to ₦240.
In Niger State, Tinubu said passengers on the Suleja-Abuja route now pay ₦550, compared with about ₦800 previously. He also said Abia 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.
Over 120,000 vehicles converted
Tinubu said the Nigerian Government had spent the past three years developing the CNG transport ecosystem, with more than 120,000 vehicles already converted.
He added that the country had more than 400 certified conversion centres and over 90 CNG refuelling stations, with the numbers increasing.
The President said the global energy crisis, which is putting pressure on petrol, diesel and transport costs, made it necessary to expand alternative energy options.
“Disruptions to global energy supplies are once again pressuring petrol and diesel prices and increasing transportation costs worldwide,” he said.
“Nigeria cannot control events in global energy markets. But as a gas-rich nation, we can reduce our exposure.”
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles was expanded in March to cover both CNG and electric mobility, with a mandate to coordinate conversion programmes and related infrastructure nationwide.
Tinubu said the government would continue to support the expansion of CNG infrastructure, vehicle conversion capacity and participation by state governments, transport operators, manufacturers and private investors.
He urged states to work with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversions and fleet deployment, and facilitate the infrastructure needed to expand the programme.
“Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” he said.
“Nigeria has the gas. We are building the infrastructure. We are already seeing the savings,” the President added.
Tinubu said the government and states needed to move faster to ensure that more Nigerians benefit from lower transport fares.