By Our Reporter

The Federal Government and All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have agreed to accelerate the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles as part of measures to reduce transportation costs for Nigerians, with the new measures expected to take effect from October 1.

President Bola Tinubu announced the agreement after meeting with APC governors on Thursday night, saying state governments would take immediate steps to ensure that savings from cheaper alternative fuels are passed on to commuters. “Cheaper fuel should result in cheaper fares!” Tinubu declared.

The President said the Federal Government had already converted more than 120,000 vehicles to CNG nationwide, with over 100,000 additional conversion kits in progress. He added that more than 100 gas projects were being financed through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, including 15 CNG mother stations and 86 daughter stations.

Tinubu also disclosed that he had directed the rollout of 500 additional CNG refuelling stations, bringing the total number planned under the programme to 1,000 nationwide. According to him, CNG-powered vehicles can spend “60 to 80 per cent less on fuel” than petrol-powered vehicles, creating room for significant reductions in transport fares.

To ensure the savings reach Nigerians, Tinubu said a joint Federal and State committee would begin implementing the measures immediately, particularly in intra-state transportation where rising fuel costs have hit commuters hardest. “From October 1, our goal is that Nigerians begin to partake in those savings through lower transport fares,” he said, urging all tiers of government to work together to make the energy transition deliver tangible relief to citizens.