In a bid to alleviate the burden of rising transportation costs, President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting with governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), where they reached a consensus on implementing measures aimed at reducing fares across the country. The meeting, held on Thursday night, focused on leveraging Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles as viable alternatives to traditional fuel sources.

Tinubu announced that both the Federal and state governments are committed to ensuring that the advantages of these alternative fuels translate into lower transport fares for the citizens. He emphasized the importance of a collaborative effort between the two tiers of government to achieve this goal, stating that a joint committee would be established to oversee the implementation of these measures starting from October 1.

“I am pleased with my discussion with the Governors’ Forum this afternoon. The Governors have, on their own initiative, resolved to take immediate measures to bring down transportation costs in their states, with a strong focus on leveraging the cost benefits of CNG and electric vehicles,” Tinubu remarked.

The President highlighted the ongoing investments by the Federal Government in the energy transition, which include the Presidential CNG Initiative that has already converted over 120,000 vehicles nationwide. Additionally, there are plans for more than 100,000 conversion kits to be made available, alongside the expansion of conversion centers and refueling infrastructure across the country.

Furthermore, Tinubu noted that the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund is financing over 100 gas projects, including the establishment of 15 CNG mother stations and 86 daughter stations. He recently commissioned four of these projects in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri, which are expected to significantly enhance the refueling network.

The President also announced plans for an additional 500 CNG refueling stations, which will double the number of stations under the initiative to 1,000. He stressed that intra-state transportation is where Nigerians feel the impact of fuel costs most acutely, and that state governments are crucial in ensuring that the savings from cheaper fuels reach the commuters.

“Intra-state transport is where Nigerians feel the cost most directly, and it is where the states hold the levers. I am encouraged that our Governors are moving to bring these benefits closer to the people they serve,” Tinubu stated.

As part of the initiative, a vehicle running on CNG is projected to incur 60 to 80 percent less fuel cost compared to one using petrol. The President reiterated that the overarching aim is for Nigerians to start experiencing these savings through reduced transport fares beginning October 1.

He urged all levels of government to collaborate effectively to ensure that the benefits of this energy transition are reflected in the daily lives of Nigerians, emphasizing that “cheaper fuel should result in cheaper fares.” The President's call for unity among government tiers underscores the urgency of addressing the transportation cost crisis that has been affecting many citizens across the nation.