By Habeeb Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed states to work towards delivering measurable reductions in transportation fares from October 1, citing existing CNG and electric transport schemes that have already lowered fares across several parts of the country.
Tinubu disclosed this in a statement outlining the outcome of his August 27 meeting with the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states, where he said an objective was agreed to ensure more Nigerians begin to benefit directly from cheaper transportation.
The President said an implementation committee for the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme had subsequently been established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
According to Tinubu, the committee, PI-CNG, state governments and other stakeholders are currently identifying priority transport corridors and determining interventions that could translate lower energy costs into lower fares.
The approach is already producing different levels of fare reductions in some states.
In Borno, CNG-powered and electric public transport services are reportedly carrying passengers for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.
Oyo also recorded a reduction on the Lagos-Ibadan route after CNG buses were deployed to Pacesetter Transport, with the fare dropping from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial deployment.
In Adamawa, alternative-energy transport services have reduced some fares by up to 50 per cent, including a journey whose fare fell from ₦8,000 to ₦4,000.
Enugu, where 100 CNG buses have been deployed, has also seen the Enugu-Nsukka fare reduced from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.
Tinubu further cited Plateau, where government-supported buses reportedly carry about 13,000 commuters daily for ₦200, compared with commercial fares of more than ₦500.
In Abuja, the Federal Government’s partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers has resulted in fare reductions on some routes served by CNG-converted commercial vehicles.
The President said fares from Area 1 to Gwagwalada had fallen from ₦1,500 to ₦900, while the Nyanya route dropped from ₦700 to ₦420 and Wuse from ₦400 to ₦240.
Other reductions were reported in Niger and Abia, with passengers on the Suleja-Abuja route paying ₦550 instead of about ₦800, while Abia has deployed 40 electric buses with fares subsidised by 50 per cent.
Tinubu said these examples were evidence that the government’s objective was not based solely on projections, arguing that Nigerians were already experiencing savings where alternative-energy transport had been deployed.
The President, however, said the existing interventions needed to be expanded as rising global energy prices continue to put pressure on petrol and diesel costs.
“Disruptions to global energy supplies are once again putting pressure on petrol and diesel prices and increasing transportation costs across the world,” Tinubu said.
He argued that while Nigeria could not control developments in the global energy market, its status as a gas-rich country provided an opportunity to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in conventional fuel prices.
Tinubu said more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted to CNG over the past three years, while more than 400 certified conversion centres and over 90 CNG refuelling stations were now operating across the country.
He also ruled out a return to the petrol subsidy regime, describing it as an approach that consumed trillions of naira and exposed the economy to international oil price movements.
Instead, he called for faster expansion of alternative-energy transport systems already being developed in Nigeria.
The President also listed states where CNG transport infrastructure is expanding.
Edo currently has 50 CNG buses in active service, while Kano has converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles and is expanding its conversion and refuelling network.
Delta, Kwara and Lagos are also expanding CNG-supported transport services, while Akwa Ibom has taken delivery of 50 CNG buses ahead of commercial operations.
Tinubu urged state governments to work with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversions and fleet deployment, and develop the infrastructure required to expand alternative-energy transportation.
He said the key test would be whether the reduction in energy costs eventually reaches commuters through lower fares.
“Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” he said.
The October 1 target therefore puts the focus beyond the number of CNG buses or converted vehicles deployed by individual states and on whether those investments result in visible changes in what commuters pay for everyday journeys.
“The Federal Government will continue to support the scaling of CNG infrastructure and access, expand conversion capacity, and create the enabling environment for States, transport operators, manufacturers and private investors to participate,” Tinubu added.
