Photo Credit: The Sun Newspaper / Original image used in the report [CNG-Bus-1]
Governors Back CNG Transit Plan to Slash Fares, Ease Hardship

The 36 state governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have endorsed the proposed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme (NACTP) as a measure to reduce transport fares and cushion the rising cost of living.

The Forum said the programme will be state-led and will leverage Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is cheaper than petrol, to provide affordable public transportation nationwide.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its third meeting held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, and read by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri. The communiqué was signed by the NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Under the plan, state governments will support conversion of vehicles to CNG, provide fleets, and facilitate CNG infrastructure, while participating transport operators will be required to cut passenger fares.

The governors however said no definite take-off date has been fixed, as more work is still needed to finalise the financing and implementation framework.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Diri said the initiative is the Forum’s response to the economic hardship caused by high transportation costs following fuel subsidy removal.

According to him, lowering transport costs will have a multiplier effect on the economy, as transportation is a major component in the pricing of food and other commodities.

“Transportation is key. The cost of moving goods from point A to point B is ultimately reflected in the prices paid by consumers,” Diri said.

On calls for the return of fuel subsidy, Diri said the governors are focused on practical interventions like the CNG programme to cushion the effects on ordinary Nigerians, rather than returning to a system that exerted heavy fiscal pressure.

“The impact is expected to be on our people — the very common man that we all talk about,” he added.

He also dismissed suggestions that states have failed to account for extra funds accruing to them after subsidy removal, saying “That cannot be true. That cannot be true. But we’ll leave that debate for another day.”

The Forum also received a presentation from the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, on CANEX Weekend 2026 and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027 scheduled for Lagos. The governors assured the minister of their support, noting the events will help states showcase investment-ready projects and connect MSMEs with investors.

Source: The Sun Newspaper –