Commuters in Northern Nigeria Lament as Promised CNG Buses Remain Undelivered Two Years After

By News24Hours.org | May 27, 2025

Two years after President Bola Tinubu announced the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to alleviate transportation costs following the removal of petrol subsidies, commuters in Nigeria’s northern states are still awaiting their arrival. The absence of these buses has left many residents grappling with soaring transport fares and unfulfilled promises.AP News+7Punch+7The Guardian Nigeria+7

In May 2023, President Tinubu declared the end of fuel subsidies, leading to a significant increase in petrol prices and, consequently, transportation costs nationwide. To mitigate the impact, the government introduced the Presidential CNG Initiative, aiming to deploy over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 conversion kits for existing petrol-dependent vehicles .Punch+2Nairametrics+2Business Day+2

While some progress has been made in parts of the country, including the inauguration of 30 CNG buses in Abuja and the distribution of 20 buses to Oyo State , the northern regions have seen little to no implementation. The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) expressed concerns over the government’s failure to fulfill its promise to help transporters convert their buses to CNG, noting that many buses remain at conversion facilities awaiting deployment .Premium Times Nigeria+1Statehouse+1Punch+1Business Day+1

Experts attribute the delay to several factors, including the lack of necessary infrastructure such as fueling points and skilled manpower. Delẹ Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, acknowledged that the absence of sufficient fueling points and competent technical operators has stalled the deployment of the CNG buses .Business Day

Furthermore, the limited availability of CNG conversion and filling stations, currently present in only 13 of Nigeria’s 36 states, poses a significant challenge to the initiative’s nationwide implementation .AP News

The delay in rolling out the CNG buses has had tangible effects on the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in the northern regions. Commuters continue to face high transportation costs, with many expressing frustration over the government’s unfulfilled promises. The situation has also contributed to rising inflation, as increased transport fares impact the cost of goods and services across the economy.Business Day+1The Guardian Nigeria+1

As the government works to address these challenges, citizens in the northern states remain hopeful that the promised CNG buses will soon be deployed to provide much-needed relief from escalating transportation costs.

Stay tuned to News24Hours.org for further updates on this developing story.