President Bola Tinubu has directed states to accelerate the implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, with the goal of delivering measurable reductions in transportation costs 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 subsequently been established under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.
“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.”
The President highlighted examples from states where the deployment of CNG and electric-powered transport had already resulted in lower fares:
- In Borno, CNG-powered and electric public transport services carry commuters for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.
- In Kaduna, 100 CNG-powered buses provide free transportation on major routes. The buses carried about 3.2 million passengers during their first year, saving commuters more than ₦3.5 billion.
- In Oyo, CNG buses deployed to Pacesetter Transport reduced the Lagos–Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during initial deployment.
- In Adamawa, alternative-energy transit cut fares by up to 50%, from ₦8,000 to ₦4,000.
- In Enugu, 100 CNG buses reduced the Enugu–Nsukka fare from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.
- In Abuja, a partnership with NURTW has brought a 40% reduction: Area 1 to Gwagwalada from ₦1,500 to ₦900, Nyanya from ₦700 to ₦420.
Tinubu said over 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG in the last three years, with over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations nationwide.
He urged states to work with transport unions, support fleet conversion and ensure savings reach citizens, while rejecting calls to return to petrol subsidy, describing it as ruinous.
