By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the rollout of an additional 500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations nationwide, bringing the total number of stations under the Federal Government’s CNG programme to 1,000 across the country.
The President gave the directive in a statement titled “Cheaper Fuel Must Mean Cheaper Transport Fares,” issued on Thursday, 27 August, 2026, following his discussion with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, where state chief executives resolved to take immediate measures to reduce the cost of transportation in their respective states.
Tinubu explained that the governors, on their own initiative, agreed to leverage the cost benefits of CNG and electric vehicles in bringing down transport fares nationwide.
“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 the cost of transportation in their states, with a strong focus on leveraging the cost benefits of CNG and electric vehicles,” he said.
The President disclosed that the Federal Government had already invested significantly in the energy transition through the Presidential CNG Initiative, under which over 120,000 vehicles have been converted nationwide, with more than 100,000 additional conversion kits currently in the works.
“The Federal Government is already investing significantly in this energy transition. Through the Presidential CNG Initiative, over 120,000 vehicles have been converted nationwide, with more than 100,000 additional conversion kits in the works. At the same time, we continue to expand conversion centres and refuelling infrastructure nationwide,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, was currently financing more than 100 gas projects across the country, including 15 CNG mother stations and 86 daughter stations, adding that he had, in May, commissioned four of these projects in Lagos, Abuja and Owerri.
“In May, I commissioned four of these projects in Lagos, Abuja and Owerri, including a 15-station refuelling network in Lagos and an Abuja facility that can serve 1,000 cars and tricycles and 50 trucks and buses a day,” he said.
Tinubu explained that the additional 500 stations he had directed would be added to the 500 stations earlier ordered by the fund at the beginning of the year, bringing the total to 1,000 stations nationwide.
Speaking on the rationale behind the intervention, the President noted that intra-state transport was where Nigerians felt the cost of fuel most directly, stressing that state governments held the levers to address the challenge.
“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,” he said.
He disclosed that both tiers of government had agreed to set up a joint Federal and State committee to begin implementing the fare-reduction measures immediately, noting that a vehicle running on CNG spends 60 to 80 per cent less on fuel than one running on petrol.
“We have agreed to set up a joint Federal and State committee to begin implementing these measures immediately. A vehicle running on CNG spends 60 to 80 per cent less on fuel than one running on petrol,” he stated.
The President set October 1 as the target date for Nigerians to begin experiencing the savings through reduced transport fares.
“From October 1, our goal is that Nigerians begin to partake in those savings through lower transport fares. We have agreed that cheaper fuel should result in cheaper fares,” he said.
Tinubu charged all tiers of government to continue playing their respective roles and to work together for the benefit of Nigerians.
“Each tier of government must keep doing its part and work together for the benefit of every Nigerian. Nigeria First,” he added.
