Tinubu urges states to accelerate CNG deployment as Federal Government targets lower transportation costs for millions of Nigerians.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform | September 21, 2026.
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to expand the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Nigeria’s public transportation system, urging state governments to accelerate the deployment of CNG-powered buses and the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles as part of measures to bring down transportation costs across the country.
The renewed push comes amid continuing concerns over the cost of mobility for workers, students, traders, farmers and other Nigerians who depend heavily on public transportation for their daily activities.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the 36 state governments to scale up implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, with the Federal Government targeting measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1, 2026.
The initiative is designed to take advantage of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources by providing an alternative fuel source for public transportation and reducing the dependence of commercial transport operators on petrol and diesel.
According to the Presidency, the programme has already recorded significant progress, with more than 120,000 vehicles converted to CNG, alongside the establishment of over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations across the country.
The Federal Government believes that expanding the CNG ecosystem will not only help reduce transportation costs but also create new opportunities in vehicle conversion, gas distribution, maintenance, transportation and other areas of the emerging alternative-energy economy.
States Asked to Accelerate Implementation
The Presidential directive followed a meeting with state governors on August 27, after which an implementation committee was established under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The committee, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is expected to coordinate efforts between the Federal Government and the states and ensure that the benefits of the CNG programme reach commuters across the country.
The Federal Government has urged states to develop practical transportation plans suited to their individual circumstances, including the deployment of CNG buses, conversion of existing commercial vehicles and expansion of supporting infrastructure.
The focus is particularly on high-traffic routes where lower operating costs could translate into reduced fares for commuters.
Enugu Among States Cited in CNG Transport Drive
Enugu State has featured prominently in the Federal Government’s discussion of CNG-powered mass transit.
President Tinubu cited the deployment of 100 CNG buses in Enugu, noting that the initiative had contributed to a reduction in transportation costs on the Enugu–Nsukka route, where fares were reported to have fallen from about ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.
The development forms part of the wider transportation reforms being implemented in the state, with the government seeking to provide more structured public transportation while gradually introducing cleaner and potentially more affordable energy sources.
For commuters, the availability of CNG-powered buses could provide relief on major intercity and intra-city routes, particularly where high fuel costs have historically translated into increased fares.
The Enugu example also highlights the importance of having not only buses but the necessary refuelling infrastructure to sustain operations.
Other States Record CNG-Related Interventions
The Federal Government has also highlighted developments in other parts of the country.
In Kaduna State, the deployment of CNG-powered buses has been linked with free transportation on some major routes, while in Oyo State, CNG buses deployed through Pacesetter Transport were reported to have reduced the Lagos–Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial phase of the programme.
In Borno State, authorities have introduced CNG and electric-powered public transportation services on selected routes, with fares reportedly ranging between ₦50 and ₦100, compared with considerably higher charges by some commercial operators.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the conversion of commercial vehicles to CNG has similarly been presented as part of efforts to reduce the operating costs of transport operators and ultimately lower fares paid by passengers.
These examples demonstrate the different approaches being adopted by states as they seek to integrate CNG into their transportation systems.
High Fuel Costs Driving Search for Alternatives
The renewed attention to CNG comes at a time when fluctuations in petroleum product prices have continued to affect transportation costs.
Commercial transport operators generally factor fuel expenditure into their daily operating costs. When the cost of petrol or diesel increases, operators often face pressure to adjust fares in order to maintain profitability.
The Federal Government’s CNG strategy is therefore based on the expectation that a cheaper and more stable fuel source could reduce operating expenses for transport businesses.
However, lower fuel costs alone may not automatically translate into cheaper fares.
Transport economists and industry stakeholders have pointed to other factors that influence fares, including vehicle maintenance, spare parts, road conditions, insurance, taxes, levies, financing costs, labour expenses and the availability of refuelling facilities.
Consequently, effective implementation of the CNG programme will depend on ensuring that the savings achieved through cheaper fuel are actually reflected in the prices paid by commuters.
Conversion Costs Remain a Major Challenge
Despite the potential benefits of CNG, vehicle conversion remains one of the major challenges facing the nationwide rollout.
Reports indicate that converting some petrol-powered vehicles to CNG can cost between approximately ₦750,000 and ₦1 million, depending on the vehicle type, conversion system and cylinder specifications.
For many commercial drivers operating on tight margins, raising such amounts may be difficult without access to affordable financing or government-supported conversion schemes.
The Federal Government and state governments therefore face the challenge of making conversion financially accessible to transport operators while ensuring that safety standards are strictly maintained.
The availability of certified conversion centres is particularly important because improper installation or the use of substandard equipment could undermine public confidence in the programme and create safety concerns.
CNG Infrastructure Must Keep Pace
Another major issue is the availability of refuelling infrastructure.
Although the number of CNG stations and conversion centres has increased, the network remains unevenly distributed across the country.
In areas where there are only a few refuelling stations, commercial drivers may spend significant time waiting to refuel. Long queues can reduce the number of trips a driver completes in a day and potentially affect the economics of CNG-powered transportation.
Industry stakeholders have therefore called for continued investment in CNG infrastructure, including additional refuelling stations, gas distribution networks and maintenance facilities.
For the programme to achieve nationwide impact, infrastructure will need to expand alongside the number of vehicles being converted.
Potential Economic Benefits
Beyond transportation fares, the CNG programme is expected to stimulate activity across several sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The conversion of vehicles requires trained technicians, engineers and support personnel. The establishment of refuelling stations creates employment opportunities, while the distribution and maintenance of CNG equipment can support new businesses.
The expansion of gas-powered transportation could also contribute to the development of Nigeria’s domestic gas industry by creating greater demand for locally available natural gas.
The Federal Government has consistently presented the initiative as part of a broader strategy to transform Nigeria’s abundant gas resources into economic value while reducing pressure associated with reliance on petrol and diesel.
Cleaner Transportation
CNG-powered vehicles are also generally associated with lower emissions of several pollutants compared with conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, although the overall environmental impact depends on the source and handling of the gas as well as the efficiency of the vehicles involved.
For major Nigerian cities facing increasing traffic congestion and air-quality concerns, the introduction of cleaner public transportation could form part of broader efforts to improve urban mobility.
However, experts and stakeholders continue to stress the importance of proper vehicle maintenance, safety standards and infrastructure development to ensure that the environmental and economic benefits are sustained.
October 1 Target Raises Expectations
With the Federal Government targeting measurable improvements from October 1, attention is now turning to the readiness of the states.
The coming weeks are expected to provide a clearer picture of how many additional CNG buses will be deployed, how many commercial vehicles will be converted and whether more refuelling centres will become operational.
Transport unions, commercial drivers and passengers will also be watching to see whether the anticipated savings are reflected directly in transportation fares.
For ordinary Nigerians, the success of the programme will ultimately be measured not only by the number of buses converted or stations constructed, but by whether workers can travel more affordably, businesses can reduce logistics costs and families can spend less of their income on daily transportation.
The Federal Government has consequently continued to call for collaboration among federal agencies, state governments, transport operators, financial institutions, gas-sector companies and other stakeholders.
As Nigeria expands its CNG infrastructure, the central challenge remains translating the country’s natural gas resources into practical economic benefits that can be felt by citizens in their daily lives.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform, will continue to monitor the implementation of the Federal Government’s CNG transportation programme and its impact on commuters, transport operators and the wider Nigerian economy.
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