CNG, Electric Vehicles Bringing Down Transport Costs — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles is helping to reduce transportation costs for Nigerians, with commuters and drivers reporting significant savings.

The President said the initiative was designed to lower operating costs for transport operators and translate the savings into more affordable fares for passengers.

Tinubu stated this on his X handle while highlighting the experiences of Nigerians benefiting from the federal government’s investment in alternative transportation following the removal of the petrol subsidy.

According to him, a commuter, Blessing, who travels from Masaka to Berger in the Federal Capital Territory, now pays ₦500 instead of ₦1,500, saving ₦1,000 per trip.

He also cited the experiences of Ada and Abigail, who now pay ₦1,600 instead of ₦4,000 for journeys between Enugu and Nsukka, representing savings of ₦2,400 per trip.

The President further highlighted the experience of Kabir, a taxi driver who said ₦10,000 worth of CNG enables him to make three more return trips than colleagues using petrol.

Tinubu also disclosed that some commuters in Borno State were paying as little as ₦50 per trip using CNG and electric vehicles.

“These various experiences show what our investment in CNG transportation is intended to achieve. Lower operating costs for drivers should translate into more affordable fares for passengers, leaving families with more money for their everyday needs,” he said.

The President acknowledged that the removal of the petrol subsidy had created difficulties for many households, adding that the government had a responsibility to provide practical alternatives to ease transportation costs.

He said the federal government was working with state governments, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and private investors to expand affordable transportation services under the National Affordable CNG Transportation Programme.

Tinubu disclosed that Ekiti State had received 15 buses, Lagos 20, while Akwa Ibom had 50 buses ready for service.

He added that Katsina State had introduced 30 CNG hybrid buses and 200 electric tricycles, while Kano had received 30 CNG buses and five electric buses, with another rollout scheduled for Edo State.

According to the President, Kaduna State’s 100 CNG buses had transported more than three million passengers to date.

Beyond the deployment of buses, Tinubu said more than 400 certified centres had converted over 120,000 vehicles to CNG, while the government was expanding refuelling infrastructure to improve access for motorists.

He also outlined measures aimed at cushioning the impact of rising petrol prices, including the waiver of over ₦3.3 trillion in fuel taxes and duties.

The President said NNPC Retail was foregoing its profit margin for 30 days, with priority given to public transport operators, while the government worked towards a ceiling of ₦1,350 per litre on wholesale petrol supply costs to reduce price volatility.

Tinubu, however, acknowledged that many Nigerians were still waiting for affordable transportation services in their communities.

Responding to calls for more buses, he said the government was working with state governments and private investors to expand coverage and ensure that more communities benefited from the programme.

He maintained that government policies must provide immediate relief without compromising the interests of future generations, stressing the need for sustainable financing and credible implementation plans.

“Our responsibility is to keep expanding access until affordable transportation becomes a reality for more communities across our country,” the President said.