Fleet expansion and CNG conversion: How Sokoto is modernising mass transit

Although the removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration was considered necessary to address the fiscal burden of the subsidy regime, the policy has remained controversial, with critics questioning its timing and the adequacy of measures to protect vulnerable Nigerians. Its removal, nevertheless, imposed considerable hardship on the people, driving up transport fares and the cost of essential goods and services. Given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on road transportation for the movement of people and goods, the effects have been felt across households and businesses. The controversy underscored the difficult balance between reducing government expenditure and protecting the people from the consequences of economic reforms. The situation, however, made it imperative for government at all levels to introduce measures to cushion the impact, particularly on low-income households whose livelihoods and daily activities depend heavily on road transportation.

The Sokoto State Government, under Governor Ahmed Aliyu, responded with interventions aimed at easing the burden on commuters. Among other measures, the government acquired vehicles and made them available to private operators at subsidised rates. It also introduced initiatives to provide affordable transportation, especially for women and other vulnerable groups. Recognising the transportation needs of riverine communities, the government also invested in the acquisition of boats to improve water transportation and ease mobility in areas where waterways are an important means of movement.

Over the past three years, these interventions have evolved beyond an immediate response to the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal. Through the Sokoto State Transport Authority (SSTA), the administration has pursued a broader programme of fleet expansion, subsidised fares and other measures to reduce the cost of operating public transport services. The ongoing conversion of its vehicles from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) represents another important stage in that effort.

The transition to CNG is particularly relevant as transport operators seek ways to contend with rising fuel costs. Against the backdrop of increasing petrol prices and the federal government’s promotion of gas-powered vehicles as a more affordable alternative, Sokoto State has begun converting its transport fleet to run on natural gas.

According to the General Manager of the SSTA, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad, the authority, acting on the directive of Governor Aliyu, is pursuing an aggressive transition from petrol-powered vehicles to CNG to reduce operating costs and improve the sustainability of its services. The initiative is designed to reduce the authority’s exposure to fluctuations in petrol prices and lower its fuel expenditure.

By reducing fuel costs, the state government hopes to create greater room for the SSTA to maintain affordable fares, attract more passengers and generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations. Without adequate passenger patronage, even a publicly owned transport service would struggle to remain viable. The transition therefore reflects a broader effort to adapt Sokoto State’s public transportation system to the economic realities created by fuel subsidy removal, while balancing the need to keep fares within the reach of commuters with the long-term sustainability of mass transit services.

The programme began with the SSTA’s Iyaye Mata vehicles, which provide transportation services tailored to the needs of women. Since then, the authority has completed the conversion of additional vehicles to CNG and deployed them for operations. It intends to extend the programme to the remaining vehicles in its fleet, progressively expanding the use of natural gas across its operations. Once fully implemented, the initiative is expected to help the SSTA manage its operating costs more effectively and strengthen its capacity to provide reliable transportation services.

For Governor Aliyu, the significance of the initiative goes beyond changing the type of fuel used by the authority. It reflects the need to balance the commercial sustainability of public transportation with its social responsibility. Although the SSTA must generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations, profitability is not the ultimate objective of a publicly owned transport service. Its overriding responsibility is to serve the people, particularly low-income earners who depend on public transportation for their daily activities. The governor’s approach recognises that the authority must remain financially viable without making its services prohibitive for the very people it was established to serve.

The government has also considered the cost of conversion and the availability of CNG refuelling facilities. For the governor, a successful transition must be measured not merely by the number of vehicles converted, but also by the savings achieved and the extent to which those savings will support affordable fares and reliable services.

Alongside the transition to CNG, the state transport authority has continued to expand its fleet. The administration previously acquired 40 buses to ease transportation difficulties following the removal of the fuel subsidy, followed by the commissioning of another 30 high-capacity buses by Governor Aliyu. The authority has now acquired 10 new 18-seater Hummer buses specifically to strengthen inter-state transportation. These investments are aimed at expanding the availability of public transport and making travel within and beyond Sokoto State more accessible.

The determination to sustain the authority’s capacity to finance improvements in its services while reducing its dependence on additional government funding is evident in its emphasis on efficient revenue collection and controlled expenditure. These principles are particularly important as the SSTA invests in fleet acquisition, vehicle conversion and improvements to its operational systems. It has introduced an electronic ticketing platform to improve fare collection and strengthen revenue accountability. Digital ticketing is expected to reduce the risks associated with cash-based transactions, make fare collection easier to monitor and provide management with useful information about passenger demand and route utilisation. For commuters, the system is also intended to make fare payments more convenient.

Another defining feature of Sokoto’s mass transit programme is its priority for women. The Iyaye Mata buses were introduced to provide women with affordable transport in a society where cultural and religious considerations influence mobility choices. By charging affordable fares, the service helps women who travel regularly to markets and healthcare facilities manage their transportation expenses and reduce the financial burden on their families.

Before the advent of the current administration, commuters in Sokoto State relied heavily on an informal transport network comprising buses, tricycles and other operators. Passengers faced unpredictable services and difficulties securing dependable transportation. The investments by Governor Aliyu have sought to improve this experience by expanding the availability of organised public transport. As envisaged, the transition to CNG could deliver sustained savings that would give the authority greater scope to maintain affordable fares.

Governor Aliyu’s interventions reflect his commitment to improving the lives of the people through practical measures that address their everyday needs. By investing in the capacity and modernisation of the SSTA, his administration is seeking to build a transport system that is financially sustainable while remaining responsive to the needs of commuters.

Ultimately, the success of these efforts will be measured not simply by the number of buses acquired or vehicles converted to CNG, but by the reliability of the services provided and the extent to which operational savings help keep transportation affordable. A public transport system that combines financial discipline with dependable services can support household welfare, facilitate economic activity and make the benefits of governance more tangible in the daily lives of the people of Sokoto State.
…Ali writes from Sokoto