President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed state governments to accelerate the implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, with the goal of delivering measurable reductions in transportation costs to more Nigerians from October 1, 2026.
The President, in an update on the programme on Saturday, urged states to sustain the momentum by working with transport unions and commercial operators, supporting vehicle conversions and fleet deployment, and facilitating the infrastructure required to ensure that savings from cheaper energy are reflected in lower fares for commuters.
President Tinubu recalled that during his meeting with governors of the 36 states on August 27, an agreement was reached that more Nigerians should begin to experience measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.
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We already have evidence from across Nigeria of what is possible when cheaper energy translates into cheaper transportation.
– In Borno, CNG-powered and electric public transport services are moving commuters for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators…
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) September 19, 2026
“I am aware of the considerable work already underway by the committee, PI-CNG & EV, the States, and other critical stakeholders to identify priority transport corridors, determine appropriate interventions, and put the necessary arrangements in place.
This work has become even more urgent amid the current global energy crisis.
We already have evidence from across Nigeria of what is possible when cheaper energy translates into cheaper transportation.
Following the meeting, an implementation committee for the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme was established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to coordinate the intervention with states and relevant stakeholders.
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The President said the committee, working alongside the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Pi-CNG & EV, and state governments, is identifying priority transport corridors, determining appropriate interventions and putting the necessary arrangements in place.
He said the programme had become more urgent amid disruptions to global energy supplies, which are putting pressure on petrol and diesel prices and increasing transportation costs worldwide.
President Tinubu noted that while Nigeria cannot control developments in the global energy market, its abundant gas resources provide an opportunity to reduce the country’s exposure to external energy shocks by expanding cheaper domestic alternatives.
“Disruptions to global energy supplies are once again pressuring petrol and diesel prices and increasing transportation costs worldwide.
“Nigeria cannot control events in global energy markets. But as a gas-rich nation, we can reduce our exposure.
“That is what we have been doing.
“Over the last three years, my administration has deliberately invested in building a CNG transportation ecosystem across Nigeria. Today, more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted; we have over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations across the country, and these figures are increasing daily.”
The President cited existing interventions across several states as evidence that CNG and electric-powered transportation can significantly reduce fares.
In Borno, he said CNG-powered and electric public transport services charge between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600, while 100 CNG buses in Kaduna have provided free transportation on major routes and carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year of operation.
He also highlighted fare reductions in Oyo, Adamawa, Enugu and Plateau, as well as a 40 per cent reduction on some Abuja commuter routes under a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
President Tinubu said more than 120,000 vehicles have so far been converted to CNG nationwide, with over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations now operating across the country.
He maintained that the response to current global energy pressures would not be a return to the petrol subsidy regime, saying the government would instead accelerate investment in cheaper energy alternatives being developed locally.
“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.
We must accelerate the cheaper alternatives we have been building at home.
It is reassuring to see the movement spreading. Edo already has 50 CNG buses in active service. Kano has converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles while rapidly expanding its conversion and refuelling network. Delta, Kwara and Lagos are expanding CNG-supported transport services, while Akwa Ibom has taken delivery of 50 CNG buses ahead of commercial operations.
I encourage every State to maintain the momentum towards October 1. Work with transport unions and commercial operators. Support conversion and fleet deployment. Facilitate the infrastructure required. Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares.
The President said CNG-supported transportation was also expanding in Edo, Kano, Delta, Kwara, Lagos and Akwa Ibom, and assured states that the Federal Government would continue to support the expansion of CNG infrastructure, conversion capacity and private-sector participation.
President Tinubu therefore urged governors to scale up implementation ahead of October 1, stressing that the ultimate objective is for more Nigerians to experience the benefits of cheaper energy directly through reduced transportation fares.
