President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Kaduna State Government’s Free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mass Transit Scheme, describing the initiative as an example of the practical interventions needed from state governments to reduce transportation costs and ease pressure on households.
Tinubu made the commendation in a post on his official X account while providing an update on the Federal Government’s National Affordable CNG Transit Programme. He said Kaduna’s experience demonstrated how cheaper domestic energy could translate into lower transportation costs for citizens.
Key Highlights
- Tinubu commends Kaduna’s Free CNG Mass Transit Scheme.
- Kaduna operates 100 CNG-powered buses on major routes, according to the President.
- Tinubu says the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year.
- The President says commuters saved more than ₦3.5 billion in transport costs.
- FG and state governments are working towards lower transportation costs from October 1.
- An implementation committee led by Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is coordinating the national CNG transit programme.
- Tinubu urges states to ensure savings from cheaper energy reach commuters through lower fares.
Tinubu said Kaduna’s initiative was an example of the type of intervention required at the subnational level as governments seek ways to cushion the impact of high transportation costs.
“I must make special mention of Kaduna,” the President said, noting that 100 CNG-powered buses were providing free transportation on major routes across the state.
According to Tinubu, the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers during their first year of operation and saved commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in transportation costs.
The President’s commendation comes as the Federal Government and the 36 state governments intensify efforts to expand affordable CNG-powered transportation across Nigeria.
Tinubu said he met with the governors on August 27, 2026, when they agreed on the objective of ensuring that more Nigerians begin to experience measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.
An implementation committee was subsequently established under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The committee is working with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, state governments and other stakeholders to identify priority transport corridors, determine suitable interventions and establish the framework for implementation.
The Federal Government has said the initiative has become more urgent because of pressures in global energy markets and the resulting impact on fuel and transportation costs.
Tinubu cited other examples of CNG and alternative-energy transport interventions across the country.
In Borno State, he said CNG-powered and electric public transport services were carrying commuters for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.
In Oyo State, the President said CNG buses deployed to Pacesetter Transport reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial deployment.
He also said alternative-energy transport services in Adamawa had reduced some fares by as much as 50 per cent, while the deployment of 100 CNG buses in Enugu had reduced the Enugu-Nsukka fare from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.
In Plateau State, Tinubu said government-supported buses carry about 13,000 commuters daily at ₦200, compared with commercial fares of more than ₦500.
The President also cited CNG-converted commercial vehicles operating on some Abuja routes, saying passengers were receiving fare reductions of up to 40 per cent on the affected routes.
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Tinubu urged state governments to work with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversion and fleet deployment, and facilitate the infrastructure needed to expand CNG transportation.
He also directed states to ensure that savings achieved through cheaper energy are reflected in the fares paid by commuters.
“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 said.
Kaduna Government Reacts
Reacting to the President’s commendation, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to policies aimed at reducing the economic burden on households.
Sani said the state’s free CNG mass transit programme had recorded about 3.2 million passenger trips in its first year and saved commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in transportation costs, citing state government figures.
The governor said Kaduna would continue to pursue interventions aimed at improving access to essential services and reducing pressure on vulnerable households.
The Federal Government’s wider CNG programme is expected to build on existing state-level initiatives as authorities seek to expand alternative-energy transportation and reduce commuting costs across the country.
