Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has commended the Kaduna State Government for its Free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mass Transit Scheme, describing it as a model for people-centred intervention to reduce transportation costs.
In a post on his official X handle, President Tinubu said the scheme demonstrates how Nigeria’s transition to cheaper, domestic energy can translate into direct relief for citizens.
“This is more of what we need to see at the subnational level,” the President stated.
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The commendation comes as the Nigerian Government and the 36 states intensify efforts to accelerate the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, aimed at cutting commuting costs nationwide from October 1.
The initiative gained momentum following a meeting between President Tinubu and state governors on August 27, where they agreed on coordinated action to deliver measurable relief to commuters.
Implementation Committee
An implementation committee has been constituted under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to work with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG) and other stakeholders.
According to the Presidency, while global energy disruptions continue to push up petrol and diesel prices, Nigeria’s abundant gas resources offer a viable pathway to reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
President Tinubu reiterated that his administration would not return to the petrol subsidy regime.
The Kaduna scheme, built around 100 CNG-powered buses, is currently the only free CNG mass transit service operated by a subnational government in Nigeria.
In its first year, it recorded about 3.2 million passenger trips and saved commuters over N3.5 billion.
Reacting to the President’s commendation, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, thanked President Tinubu for the recognition and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to people-focused governance.
“We deeply appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this recognition. Kaduna State continues to set national benchmarks, from tackling out-of-school children to pioneering CNG mass transit.
“Kaduna remains the only subnational government providing free CNG mass transit rides to its citizens.
Our commitment remains clear: to put people first and ensure that the dividends of governance reach ordinary citizens,” Governor Sani said.
Governor Sani noted that the free transit scheme has become one of the state’s most impactful interventions to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, providing relief to workers, traders, students and families.
The Nigerian Government says it will continue to support states that have embraced CNG transportation to expand interventions that deliver immediate benefits to citizens.
