Tinubu Orders Faster CNG Rollout, Targets Lower Transport Fares From October 1
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed state governments and stakeholders in the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme to accelerate efforts to reduce transportation costs for Nigerians from October 1.
Tinubu, in a statement on Saturday, said the initiative was agreed upon during his August 27 meeting with the governors of the 36 states, with an implementation committee established under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The President said the committee, PI-CNG & EV, state governments and other stakeholders were already working to identify priority transport corridors and deploy appropriate interventions.
He cited existing CNG and electric transport initiatives across several states as evidence that cheaper energy could translate into lower fares.
“In Borno, CNG-powered and electric public transport services are moving commuters for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600,” Tinubu said.
He also noted that 100 CNG-powered buses in Kaduna provided free transportation on major routes and carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year, saving commuters more than ₦3.5 billion.
According to him, CNG buses in Oyo reduced the Lagos–Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial deployment, while alternative-energy transit services in Adamawa cut fares by as much as 50 per cent.
In Enugu, the President said, the deployment of 100 CNG buses reduced the Enugu–Nsukka fare from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500, while government-supported buses in Plateau carry about 13,000 commuters daily at ₦200 compared with fares above ₦500 charged commercially.
Tinubu further disclosed that CNG-converted commercial vehicles operating on several Abuja routes were providing passengers with a 40 per cent fare reduction through a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“These are not projections. Nigerians are already experiencing these savings,” he said.
The President said the Federal Government had invested in developing a CNG transportation ecosystem over the past three years, resulting in more than 120,000 vehicles being converted, over 400 certified conversion centres established and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations operating across the country.
He linked the urgency of the programme to renewed pressure on global energy supplies and rising petrol and diesel prices, saying Nigeria must reduce its exposure to international energy market shocks by accelerating domestic alternatives.
“Over the last three years, my administration has deliberately invested in building a CNG transportation ecosystem across Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
He urged all state governments to work with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversions and fleet deployment, and ensure that savings from cheaper energy are reflected in lower fares.
“Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” the President said.
Tinubu also disclosed that Edo has 50 CNG buses in active service, Kano has converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles, while Delta, Kwara and Lagos are expanding CNG-supported transport services. Akwa Ibom, he added, has taken delivery of 50 CNG buses ahead of commercial operations.
The President said the Federal Government would continue to support the expansion of CNG infrastructure, conversion capacity and private-sector participation.
“Now we must move faster and scale this so more Nigerians feel those savings in the fares they pay every day,” he said.
