The Federal Government has set October 1, 2026, as a target for Nigerians to begin experiencing measurable reductions in transportation costs through the use of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, and electric-powered vehicles.
The initiative follows an agreement between President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors to expand affordable transportation across the country.
According to the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, several states have already deployed CNG buses, electric vehicles, conversion centres and refuelling facilities. Some commuters are already benefiting from reduced fares.
The Federal Government says more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG, while the country has over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations.
However, questions remain about whether the available infrastructure can support cheaper transportation nationwide from October 1. Issues including the availability of refuelling stations, the number of converted commercial vehicles and whether transport operators will pass fuel savings on to passengers remain important considerations.
The Nigeria Daily programme examines the government’s October 1 target, the preparations by states and what commuters should realistically expect as the deadline approaches.
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