Tinubu urges states to speed up CNG transit for lower fares from Oct 2026
President Bola Tinubu has instructed Nigeria’s 36 states to accelerate the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, with the goal of delivering measurable reductions in transportation costs starting October 1, 2026. He announced the directive in a statement on Saturday, noting that an implementation committee under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is already identifying priority corridors and arranging interventions.
Tinubu pointed to existing CNG and electric bus projects that have already cut fares. In Borno, CNG/electric services charge ₦50–₦100 compared with commercial fares of ₦300–₦600. Kaduna’s 100 CNG buses operate free on major routes, having carried 3.2 million passengers and saved over ₦3.5 billion in their first year. Oyo’s deployment on the Lagos–Ibadan corridor lowered fares from ₦8,000 to ₦3,200, while Adamawa and Enugu saw 50% cuts on key routes. In Plateau, government buses charge ₦200 daily versus over ₦500 commercially, and Abuja routes such as Area 1–Gwagwalada, Nyanya and Wuse have seen 40% fare drops through a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers. Niger’s Suleja–Abuja route now costs ₦550 instead of ₦800, and Abia subsidises 40 electric buses by 50%.
The President said more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG, with over 400 conversion centres and 90 refuelling stations nationwide, numbers that continue to rise. He urged states to work with transport unions, support vehicle conversion and fleet deployment, and ensure that savings reach commuters through lower fares.
Will you look out for CNG‑powered buses in your city, consider switching to them for cheaper travel, or engage with local transport unions to push for faster rollout in your area?