Tinubu: More Nigerians to Benefit From Lower Transport Fares as CNG Programme Targets October 1
Reported By Facthabournews
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said more Nigerians should begin to experience measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1 as the Federal Government and state governments intensify the implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.
The President made the announcement in a statement on Saturday, September 19, 2026, providing an update on the Federal Government’s efforts to use compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles to reduce transportation costs across the country.
Tinubu said he met with the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states on August 27, where they agreed on the objective of ensuring that more Nigerians begin to benefit from lower transportation costs from October 1.
Following the meeting, an implementation committee for the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme was established under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and chaired by Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The President said the committee, the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), state governments and other stakeholders were already working to identify priority transport corridors, determine appropriate interventions and put the necessary arrangements in place.
According to Tinubu, the urgency of the programme has increased because of disruptions in global energy supplies, which have placed additional pressure on petrol and diesel prices and transportation costs.
He said Nigeria’s position as a gas-rich country provides an opportunity to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in international energy markets by expanding alternative-energy transportation.
The President cited several examples of CNG and electric-powered transport services already operating in different parts of the country.
In Borno State, Tinubu said CNG-powered and electric public transport services are carrying commuters for between N50 and N100 on routes where commercial operators charge between N300 and N600.
In Kaduna State, he said 100 CNG-powered buses are providing free transportation on major routes. According to the President, the buses carried approximately 3.2 million passengers during their first year of operation, resulting in reported savings of more than N3.5 billion in transportation costs.
Tinubu also cited Oyo State, where CNG buses deployed to Pacesetter Transport reportedly reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about N8,000 to N3,200 during the initial deployment.
In Adamawa, the President said alternative-energy transit services had reduced fares by as much as 50 per cent, from N8,000 to N4,000.
In Enugu, where 100 CNG buses have reportedly been deployed, the Enugu-Nsukka fare has fallen from N2,500 to N1,500, according to the President.
Tinubu said government-supported buses in Plateau State carry about 13,000 commuters daily at N200 per trip, compared with commercial fares of more than N500.
The President also highlighted CNG-converted commercial vehicles operating on several Abuja commuter routes through a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
According to Tinubu, passengers have received fare reductions of about 40 per cent on some routes. He cited Area 1-Gwagwalada, where the fare reportedly fell from N1,500 to N900; Nyanya, from N700 to N420; and Wuse, from N400 to N240.
In Niger State, passengers on the Suleja-Abuja route are reportedly paying N550 compared with about N800, while Abia State has 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 commended governors and state governments that have moved quickly to introduce alternative-energy transportation services but urged all states to accelerate their efforts ahead of October 1.
He called on state governments to work closely with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversion and fleet deployment, and facilitate the infrastructure needed to expand CNG and electric transportation.
The President particularly emphasised that the savings generated from cheaper energy should be reflected in the fares paid by commuters.
The Federal Government, he said, would continue supporting the expansion of CNG infrastructure, conversion capacity and access while creating an enabling environment for states, transport operators, manufacturers and private investors to participate in the sector.
Tinubu said the Federal Government had deliberately invested in building a CNG transportation ecosystem over the past three years.
According to figures from the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG, while more than 400 certified conversion centres and over 90 CNG refuelling stations are operational across the country.
The government has also said more than $2 billion in private-sector investment has been facilitated for CNG infrastructure and the wider value chain since the initiative began in 2023.
Tinubu said the administration would not return to the former petrol subsidy regime, which he described as costly and exposing the economy to movements in international oil prices.
Instead, he urged stakeholders to accelerate the development of domestic alternatives, particularly CNG and electric mobility.
The President noted that several states were expanding their alternative-energy transportation programmes. Edo, he said, has 50 CNG buses in active service, while Kano has converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles and is expanding its conversion and refuelling network.
Delta, Kwara and Lagos are also expanding CNG-supported transport services, while Akwa Ibom has taken delivery of 50 CNG buses ahead of commercial operations.
The National Affordable CNG Transit Programme is part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to translate lower energy costs into lower transportation costs for Nigerians. The Pi-CNG & EV has said the programme requires coordination among federal and state governments, transport operators and other stakeholders to ensure that savings ultimately reach commuters.
Tinubu urged state governments and other stakeholders to maintain momentum towards October 1 and ensure that the programme delivers tangible reductions in transport fares.
“Nigeria has the gas. We are building the infrastructure. We are already seeing the savings,” the President said.
He added that the priority now was to accelerate implementation and scale the programme so that more Nigerians could experience the benefits through lower transportation fares.
