President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigerians are already beginning to feel the impact of cheaper transportation as the Federal Government pushes its affordable transport programme ahead of October 1.
Tinubu said the reduction is already visible in several states where CNG-powered and electric buses have brought down fares on major routes.
The President disclosed this while reviewing the progress of plans agreed with state governors to reduce transportation costs and ease the pressure of rising living expenses.
“On August 27, I met with the governors of our 36 states, and we agreed on a clear objective. From October 1, more Nigerians should begin to see measurable reductions in transportation costs.”
Following the meeting, Tinubu said an implementation committee for the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme was established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
He said the committee, PI-CNG & EV, state governments and other stakeholders were already working on identifying key transport routes and determining the interventions needed to make cheaper transportation available to more Nigerians.
According to the President, the results recorded in some states show that lower energy costs can translate directly into cheaper fares for commuters.
“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.
“In Borno, CNG-powered and electric public transport services are moving commuters for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.”
Tinubu also highlighted developments in Kaduna, where 100 CNG buses are providing free transportation on major routes.
He said the buses transported about 3.2 million passengers in their first year and helped commuters save more than ₦3.5bn in transport expenses.
Oyo, Adamawa, Enugu and Plateau were also listed among states where alternative-energy transport has brought down fares.
“In Kaduna, 100 CNG-powered buses are providing free transportation on major routes across the state. In their first year of operation, the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers, saving commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in transport costs.
“In Oyo, CNG buses deployed to Pacesetter Transport brought the Lagos–Ibadan fare down from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial deployment.
“In Adamawa, alternative-energy transit services have cut fares by as much as 50 per cent, from ₦8,000 to ₦4,000.
“In Enugu, where 100 CNG buses have been deployed, the Enugu–Nsukka fare has been reduced from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.
“In Plateau, government-supported buses carry about 13,000 commuters every day at ₦200, compared with more than ₦500 commercially.”
The President further said the Federal Government’s partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers had produced fare reductions on some Abuja routes using CNG-converted commercial vehicles.
He gave examples of Area 1–Gwagwalada, where the fare dropped from ₦1,500 to ₦900; Nyanya, from ₦700 to ₦420; and Wuse, from ₦400 to ₦240.
Tinubu said similar reductions were being recorded in Niger and Abia, with alternative-energy buses and subsidised services helping to reduce the burden on passengers.
“In Niger, passengers on the Suleja–Abuja service are paying ₦550 compared with about ₦800, while Abia has deployed 40 electric buses with fares subsidised by 50 per cent.
“These are not projections. Nigerians are already experiencing these savings.”
Tinubu praised governors who have embraced CNG-powered transportation but urged other states to step up their efforts before the October 1 target.
He said the Federal Government would continue supporting states to expand their alternative-energy transport systems and make the benefits more widespread.
The President linked the urgency of the programme to renewed pressure on petrol and diesel prices caused by disruptions in global energy supplies.
“Disruptions to global energy supplies are once again pressuring petrol and diesel prices and increasing transportation costs worldwide.”
Tinubu argued that Nigeria’s large gas reserves provide an opportunity to reduce the country’s dependence on petrol and diesel for transportation.
He said the administration had spent the past three years building a CNG transport ecosystem, with more than 120,000 vehicles already converted.
“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 also rejected calls for a return to the former petrol subsidy system, arguing that the policy placed a huge burden on public finances and left Nigeria vulnerable to international oil-price fluctuations.
He instead called for faster expansion of CNG and other cheaper energy alternatives already being developed across the country.
“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.”
Tinubu urged state governments to sustain the momentum ahead of October 1 by working with transport unions and operators.
He said the key objective was to ensure that whatever savings are achieved from cheaper energy are passed directly to commuters through lower fares.
“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.
“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.”
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