President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the 36 state governments to accelerate the implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs for Nigerians.
The President said the initiative should begin delivering measurable reductions in transport fares from October 1, 2026, following an agreement reached with state governors at a meeting on August 27.
Tinubu gave the directive in an update on the programme on Saturday, urging states to work closely with transport unions and commercial operators to expand the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and other alternative-energy transport systems.
He also called on the states to support vehicle conversions, deploy CNG-powered buses and facilitate the infrastructure needed to make the programme effective.
According to the President, the objective is to ensure that savings generated from cheaper energy are reflected directly in the fares paid by commuters.
The Federal Government has established an implementation committee under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to coordinate the programme with state governments and other stakeholders.
Tinubu cited developments in several states as examples of how alternative-energy transportation could lower commuting costs.
In Borno, he said CNG-powered and electric public transport services currently charge between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.
He also noted that Kaduna’s 100 CNG-powered buses have provided free transportation on major routes, while about 3.2 million passengers reportedly used the buses during their first year of operation.
In Oyo, the deployment of CNG buses on the Lagos-Ibadan route reduced the fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial phase, while Adamawa recorded fare reductions of up to 50 per cent on some alternative-energy routes.
Tinubu further highlighted developments in Enugu, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, where CNG-supported transport services have also resulted in lower fares.
The President said Edo currently has 50 CNG buses in operation, while Kano has converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles and is expanding its conversion and refuelling infrastructure.
He added that Delta, Kwara and Lagos are expanding CNG-supported transportation services, while Akwa Ibom has received 50 CNG buses ahead of commercial operations.
Tinubu urged all state governments to maintain momentum ahead of the October 1 target and ensure that the benefits of cheaper energy reach commuters through reduced transportation costs.
The Federal Government, he said, would continue supporting CNG infrastructure, vehicle conversion capacity and private-sector participation in the programme.
