CNG which is Compressed Natural Gas, a cleaner and cheaper alternative to petrol and diesel, is now at the centre of Federal Government’s push to cut transport fares from October 1 under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, with states adopting different strategies to deliver on the target.
President Bola Tinubu, after meeting 36 governors on August 27, set up an implementation committee under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum chaired by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. He has urged states to work with transport unions, support vehicle conversion and ensure cheaper CNG costs translate to lower fares.
The Presidency says over 120,000 vehicles have been converted, with 400+ conversion centres and 90+ refuelling stations nationwide. But operators in many states say the infrastructure is still too thin.
In Lagos, long queues persist. At NIPCO Ibafo along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway around 9:30pm, buses, cars and trucks were lined up. Driver Saheed said, “We have been here since 7:30 pm… N1,400 is too much for a commercial driver. That’s why you see my buses here.”
Conversion cost is another barrier. Driver Musa Kazeem said he was quoted N800,000 to N1m to convert his vehicle.
NARTO National President Yusuf Othman said, “The queues in CNG stations are really costing us time, because time is money… The stations are not many.” He however said more stations are coming through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and CNG remains cheaper and cleaner.
In Plateau, government charges N200 for 18-20km within Jos. Commissioner Davou Jatau called it the cheapest in Nigeria. But park chairman Ibrahim Maikudi said there is no CNG station in Plateau and some CNG buses are parked.
Kaduna is operating free CNG bus service since July 2025 with 100 buses on 8 routes. Commissioner Ahmad Mayaki said Kaduna is the only state offering free service indefinitely.
In Gombe, CNG is good for town service but not long trips. An operator said Abuja return trip could mean 6-8 hours in queue. Plans for 30 substations are underway.
Jigawa and Zamfara have no stations. NARTO’s Muhd Mudi in Jigawa asked, “Where are the CNG stations in Jigawa?” Zamfara driver Aminu Suleiman said: “We have been hearing about the CNG but we have never seen it.”
In Kwara, only about 100 union vehicles have been converted. RTEAN Chairman Abdulrasheed Onikijipa said members fear it damages vehicles and there was no consultation. Only 2 major stations are in Ilorin.
In Borno, there is fear of explosions and gas price, but hundreds of electric buses already charge N50-N100.
Benue is doing 3-day awareness, Nasarawa is training 50 technicians and planning 3 zonal conversion centres, Edo will launch 50+ 52-seater CNG buses in October, Kano procured 500 electric tricycles, while Rivers will return palliative buses from October.
In Bayelsa and Ogun, drivers said they are willing if conversion cost drops. Ogun says it is engaging stakeholders on CNG and EVs.
The Federal Government cites gains where Borno charges N50-N100 against N300-N600 commercial rates, Oyo cut Lagos-Ibadan fare from N8,000 to N3,200, Adamawa cut fares by 50%, and Enugu cut Enugu-Nsukka from N2,500 to N1,500.
But operators say beyond cheap gas, spare parts, maintenance, financing and bad roads still drive fares up. With October 1 near, the question remains whether enough stations and converted vehicles will be ready for commuters to feel the difference.
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