Tinubu Orders Faster Rollout of CNG Transit, Fares Set to Drop Oct 1

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday directed all 36 state governments to speed up the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, signalling that commuters across Nigeria should start feeling lower transport fares from 1 October 2026. In a statement released by the State House, Tinubu said the push came after his August 27 meeting with the governors, where the leaders agreed on a joint target to translate cheaper CNG fuel into measurable fare reductions.

The president urged state authorities to work closely with transport unions, commercial operators and the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles (PI‑CNG & EV) to fast‑track vehicle conversions, expand certified conversion centres and increase the number of CNG refuelling stations. He noted that more than 120,000 vehicles have already been converted to CNG nationwide, supported by over 400 certified conversion centres and 90+ refuelling stations. Tinubu cited successful pilots in Borno, Kaduna, Oyo, Adamawa, Enugu, Plateau, Niger and Abia where passengers are already paying less. In Oyo, the Lagos‑Ibadan inter‑city fare fell from roughly ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 after the initial CNG rollout. In Abuja, some routes have recorded up to a 40 per cent drop in fares, while in Borno commuters are paying as little as ₦50‑₦100 on routes that previously cost ₦300‑₦600.

“From October 1, more Nigerians should begin to see measurable reductions in transportation costs,” Tinubu said, adding that the savings from cheaper energy must reach ordinary citizens through lower ticket prices. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, chairman of the implementation committee, pledged that state governments will mobilise resources, clear bottlenecks and coordinate with transport unions to ensure the promised fare cuts are delivered on time. The president’s directive also calls for the rapid deployment of CNG‑ready fleets, especially in high‑traffic corridors, and for the establishment of monitoring mechanisms to track fare changes. Analysts say the move could ease inflationary pressure on household budgets, given that transport accounts for a sizeable share of daily expenses for many Nigerians. The government has warned that any attempts to inflate fares after the October deadline will be met with strict regulatory action.

The National Affordable CNG Transit Programme remains a flagship component of Tinubu’s broader economic agenda, aimed at diversifying energy sources, reducing reliance on imported petrol and creating jobs in the conversion and refuelling sectors. The CNG shift also promises environmental gains, with lower emissions compared to diesel and gasoline engines. Environmental groups have welcomed the plan, noting that widespread CNG use could cut urban air pollution by an estimated 15 per cent in major cities. The conversion industry is expected to create over 10,000 direct jobs, ranging from mechanics to station operators, according to the Ministry of Works and Housing. Trade unions, however, have cautioned that fare reductions must be passed on to passengers and not absorbed by operators as profit loss.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum released a statement supporting the president’s timeline, urging governors to allocate budgetary support for infrastructure upgrades. The federal government has earmarked N200 billion for the expansion of CNG refuelling infrastructure over the next twelve months. With the October deadline set, the eyes of commuters, transport operators and policy analysts are on the ground to see whether the promised fare relief materialises as advertised.