Tinubu sets October 1 target for cheaper transport as CNG programme expands

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed states and other stakeholders implementing the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme to intensify efforts towards delivering measurable reductions in transportation fares from October 1.

Tinubu said the Federal Government, in collaboration with state governments, transport unions, commercial operators and other stakeholders, was working to ensure that the benefits of cheaper alternative energy translate directly into lower fares for commuters across the country.

The President disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, saying the initiative had become increasingly important amid renewed pressure on global energy supplies and rising petrol and diesel prices. Blueprint reports

He recalled that he met with the governors of the 36 states on August 27, where they agreed on the objective of ensuring that more Nigerians begin to experience significant reductions in transportation costs from October 1.

States mobilise for October 1

According to the President, an implementation committee for the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme was subsequently established under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as chairman.

Tinubu said the committee, in collaboration with PI-CNG and EV, state governments and other critical stakeholders, was already working to identify priority transport corridors, determine appropriate interventions and put the necessary arrangements in place.

He urged all states to sustain the momentum ahead of the October 1 target, particularly by working with transport unions and commercial operators, supporting vehicle conversions and fleet deployment, and facilitating the infrastructure required to expand alternative-energy transportation.

“Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” the President said.

Tinubu said the current global energy crisis had made the initiative even more urgent, noting that Nigeria, as a gas-rich country, had an opportunity to reduce its vulnerability to fluctuations in international energy markets.

Kaduna, Borno record major savings

The President cited developments in several states as evidence that cheaper energy could already translate into substantial reductions in transportation costs.

In Borno State, he said CNG-powered and electric public transport services were moving commuters for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.

Kaduna State, according to Tinubu, has deployed 100 CNG-powered buses providing free transportation on major routes across the state.

He said the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers during their first year of operation, resulting in more than ₦3.5 billion in estimated savings for commuters.

The President also highlighted developments in Oyo State, where CNG buses deployed to Pacesetter Transport reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial deployment.

In Adamawa, alternative-energy transport services have reportedly reduced fares by as much as 50 per cent, from ₦8,000 to ₦4,000.

More states embrace CNG transport

Tinubu also cited examples from other parts of the country where CNG and electric buses are being deployed to reduce the cost of public transportation.

In Enugu State, he said the deployment of 100 CNG buses had reduced the Enugu-Nsukka fare from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.

In Plateau State, government-supported buses are carrying about 13,000 commuters daily at a fare of ₦200, compared with commercial fares of more than ₦500.

The President said the Federal Government’s partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) had also resulted in fare reductions for passengers using CNG-converted commercial vehicles on several Abuja commuter routes.

He listed Area 1-Gwagwalada as one example, saying the fare had dropped from ₦1,500 to ₦900.

Similarly, the fare from Nyanya had fallen from ₦700 to ₦420, while passengers travelling from Wuse were paying ₦240 instead of ₦400.

In Niger State, passengers using the Suleja-Abuja service were paying ₦550 compared with about ₦800, while Abia State had deployed 40 electric buses with fares subsidised by 50 per cent.

“These are not projections. Nigerians are already experiencing these savings,” Tinubu said.

Over 120,000 vehicles converted

The President said the Federal Government had spent the past three years deliberately building what he described as a CNG transportation ecosystem across the country.

According to him, more than 120,000 vehicles have so far been converted to CNG, while Nigeria now has more than 400 certified conversion centres and over 90 CNG refuelling stations.

He said the numbers were continuing to increase as more states, transport operators and private investors joined the initiative.

Tinubu said the administration’s approach was designed to provide Nigerians with cheaper transportation alternatives rather than return to the former petrol subsidy regime.

“At a time like this, our answer cannot be to return to the ruinous petrol subsidy regime that consumed trillions of naira and left our economy exposed to every movement in international oil prices, as some have suggested,” he said.

The President instead called for accelerated development of alternative energy sources and infrastructure capable of reducing the country’s dependence on petrol and diesel.

Edo, Kano, Lagos expand operations

Tinubu further noted that the CNG transition was gaining momentum in several other states.

He said Edo State already had 50 CNG buses in active service, while Kano State had converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles and was expanding its conversion and refuelling network.

Delta, Kwara and Lagos, he said, were also expanding CNG-supported transport services.

In Akwa Ibom, the President said the state had taken delivery of 50 CNG buses ahead of the commencement of commercial operations.

Tinubu commended governors and state governments that had moved quickly to establish alternative-energy transport systems but urged them to do more to ensure the benefits reach ordinary commuters.

FG promises further support

The President said the Federal Government would continue supporting the expansion of CNG infrastructure and access, increasing vehicle conversion capacity and creating an enabling environment for states, transport operators, manufacturers and private investors.

He urged every state to maintain its preparations towards October 1, stressing the need for closer collaboration with transport unions and commercial operators.

Tinubu said the ultimate measure of the programme would be whether commuters could actually feel the impact through lower fares.

“Nigeria has the gas. We are building the infrastructure. We are already seeing the savings. Now we must move faster and scale this so more Nigerians feel those savings in the fares they pay every day,” the President said.