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Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called on state governments to ensure that operational savings from cheaper Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation translate directly into lower fares for citizens ahead of October 1.
Updating the nation on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme on Saturday, Tinubu urged governors to collaborate with transport unions, accelerate fleet conversions, and build out the necessary infrastructure.
“Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” Tinubu stated, emphasising that the initiative aims to deliver measurable relief to commuters across the country.
Highlighting existing progress, the President noted that several states already offer significantly reduced transport costs.
In Borno, CNG and electric buses carry passengers for N50 to N100 on routes where commercial operators charge up to N600, while Kaduna’s fleet of 100 CNG buses saved commuters over N3.5 billion in its first year.
Similar initiatives have slashed fares by up to 50 per cent in Adamawa, Enugu, Oyo, and Plateau.
Furthermore, a Nigerian government partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Abuja has secured a 40 per cent fare reduction on several key commuter routes.
Tinubu reported that technical capacity continues to expand rapidly nationwide, with over 120,000 vehicles converted, 400 certified conversion centres operating, and more than 90 refuelling stations established.
Reaffirming his administration’s economic stance, he rejected calls to reinstate fuel subsidies, framing domestic gas as the country’s shield against global oil shocks.
“At a time like this, our answer cannot be to return to the ruinous petrol subsidy regime,” Tinubu affirmed. “We must accelerate the cheaper alternatives we have been building at home.”
