Pi-CNG says cheaper transport is emerging on selected routes

The reduction in transportation costs promised by President Bola Tinubu has already begun in some areas, according to Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas. Ahmed said on Wednesday that Nigeria had fewer than 10 compressed natural gas stations before 2023, but the number had risen to 90 when the President launched the initiative. He said the programme was backed by investors, while the role of Pi-CNG was to create an enabling environment for its expansion.

He said more than 120,000 vehicles had already been converted to use CNG, although data was still being collated. Ahmed added that a further 100,000 conversion kits announced in March were nearly fully deployed and that vehicle conversions were increasing as the programme reached new areas. Ahmed said a reduction in transport fares was expected on certain routes from October 1, 2026.

He cited the Gwagwalada-to-Abuja route, saying passengers using a CNG bus could pay at least 40 per cent less than the usual fare. He also said Kano, which had not had a CNG station during the previous year, now had 10 refuelling stations. The initiative is part of government efforts to lower transport costs following the removal of the petrol subsidy.

On September 19, Tinubu directed states to accelerate the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme and said an implementation committee had been established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. In August, the President called for 500 additional CNG stations nationwide. He said the expansion, alongside the use of electric vehicles, would support a planned national network of 1,000 refuelling stations and enable states to pursue lower transport fares.