President Bola Tinubu says commuters and transport operators are recording savings from the Federal Government’s investment in compressed natural gas (CNG) transportation, while promising to expand affordable transport services across the country. In a post on X, Tinubu cited the experiences of commuters and drivers, including Blessing, who said her…...
President Bola Tinubu says commuters and transport operators are recording savings from the Federal Government’s investment in compressed natural gas (CNG) transportation, while promising to expand affordable transport services across the country.
In a post on X, Tinubu cited the experiences of commuters and drivers, including Blessing, who said her journey from Masaka to Berger in the Federal Capital Territory now costs ₦500 instead of ₦1,500, saving ₦1,000 per trip.
“I know what that means when you have a family to feed, bills to pay and other responsibilities waiting at home,” the President said.
He also cited Ada and Abigail, who now pay ₦1,600 instead of ₦4,000 to travel from Enugu to Nsukka, saving ₦2,400 per journey.
Tinubu said a taxi driver, Kabir, had reported that ₦10,000 worth of CNG enabled him to make three more return trips than colleagues using petrol.
“He says he has no intention of going back to petrol,” the President added.
He also said he had received encouraging feedback from Borno State, where some commuters were reportedly paying as little as ₦50 per trip using CNG and electric vehicles.
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According to Tinubu, the experiences reflect the Federal Government’s objective of using CNG transportation to lower operating costs for drivers and make fares more affordable for passengers.
“When we removed the petrol subsidy, I knew the decision would bring difficulties for many households. With that decision came a responsibility to provide practical alternatives that would ease transportation costs,” he said.
The President added that the government wanted more Nigerians to benefit from the initiative, acknowledging a request from a commuter, Emmanuel, for more buses.
“To Emmanuel, who asked for more buses: I heard you,” Tinubu said.
He said the Federal Government was working with state governments through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and private investors to expand services under the National Affordable CNG Transportation Programme.
Tinubu listed some of the deployments, saying Ekiti had received 15 buses, Lagos 20, while Akwa Ibom had 50 ready for service.
He added that Katsina 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.
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According to the President, Kaduna’s 100 CNG buses had transported more than three million passengers.
“Beyond the buses, more than 400 certified centres have converted over 120,000 vehicles to CNG,” he said, adding that the government was expanding refuelling infrastructure to improve access to the fuel.
Tinubu also acknowledged the pressure rising petrol prices were placing on households and businesses, saying the government had introduced measures to cushion the impact.
“To cushion the impact, we have waived over ₦3.3 trillion in fuel taxes and duties,” he said.
He added that NNPC Retail was foregoing its profit margin for 30 days while prioritising public transport operators, as the government worked towards a ₦1,350-per-litre ceiling on wholesale petrol supply costs to reduce price volatility.
The President said the measures were intended to ease immediate pressure while the government continued expanding affordable transportation alternatives.
“As President, I have a duty to provide relief today without compromising our children’s future,” he said.
Tinubu also argued that government commitments must be backed by sustainable plans, urging anyone seeking to lead Nigeria to explain the cost of their promises and how they would be funded.
“Anyone seeking to lead Nigeria should be prepared to explain what their promises will cost, how they will deliver them, and whether they can sustain them,” he said.
“Promises are easy to make when the costs can be postponed, leaving Nigerians and future generations to pay the bill.”
The President said the feedback from commuters and drivers encouraged the government to continue expanding access to affordable transportation.
“Our responsibility is to keep expanding access until affordable transportation becomes a reality for more communities across our country,” he said.
“That is the work we will continue in collaboration with the States.”