Nigerians Still Face High Transport Fares Despite Tinubu’s October 1 Promise

Many Nigerians are still paying high transportation fares despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise that commuters would begin to experience measurable reductions in transport costs from October 1, 2026.

President Tinubu had directed state governments to accelerate the implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, with the aim of using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles to reduce the cost of public transportation.

The President said the objective was for more Nigerians to begin benefiting from lower transportation costs from October 1.

However, reports following the October 1 deadline indicate that transportation fares have remained largely unchanged in several parts of the country. Findings reported across states including Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Gombe, Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ogun showed that many commuters had yet to see significant reductions.

Transport operators have cited challenges including the high cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, limited CNG infrastructure and inadequate access to CNG-powered buses as some of the factors making fare reductions difficult.

The Federal Government, however, maintains that reductions have already begun on some routes. The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Ismaeel Ahmed, said commuters using CNG buses on certain routes were already paying substantially less.

The Presidency has also highlighted examples in states where CNG and electric buses have reduced fares, including Borno, Kaduna, Enugu, Adamawa and parts of Abuja.

The situation has therefore left many Nigerians waiting for the promised wider reduction in transportation costs, particularly as high fares continue to put pressure on household budgets.

For the programme to achieve its intended impact nationwide, the availability of CNG buses, conversion centres, refuelling stations and effective implementation by state governments will remain important.