President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, September 20, commended the Kaduna state government’s free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit scheme, describing it as a practical, people-centred intervention capable of reducing transportation costs for Nigerians.
The scheme, involving 100 CNG-powered buses, recorded about 3.2 million passenger trips and saved commuters more than N3.5 billion in its first year.
Tinubu made the commendation in a post on his official X account, where he highlighted Kaduna’s intervention.
“This is more of what we need to see at the subnational level,” Tinubu stated.
The commendation came amid renewed efforts by the federal government and the 36 state governments to accelerate the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which is aimed at reducing transportation costs and providing relief to Nigerians affected by rising fuel and commuting expenses.
At a meeting with governors on August 27, Tinubu and the state governors agreed on coordinated action to reduce transportation costs.
The governors subsequently constituted an implementation committee under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to drive the initiative.
The committee is chaired by Kwara state governor and NGF chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Working with the presidential initiative on CNG and electric vehicles, the committee is identifying priority transport corridors and appropriate interventions while developing an operational framework for effective implementation of the programme across the states.
The federal government said Nigeria’s abundant gas resources provide an opportunity to reduce dependence on imported fuels and exposure to global energy shocks.
Tinubu has ruled out a return to the petrol subsidy regime, saying such a move would expose the economy to international oil price fluctuations.
He said the government would instead support states adopting CNG transportation and other interventions capable of providing measurable relief to citizens.
Reacting to the commendation, Kaduna state governor Uba Sani expressed appreciation to Tinubu for recognising the state’s intervention.
Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to policies aimed at protecting vulnerable households and expanding access to essential services.
“We deeply appreciate president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this recognition and his administration’s continued support to subnational governments,” Sani said.
The governor said Kaduna had continued to set benchmarks in education, vocational training, skills development and CNG mass transportation.
“Kaduna remains the only subnational government providing free CNG mass transit rides to its citizens,” he said.
According to him, the scheme recorded about 3.2 million passenger trips and saved commuters more than N3.5 billion during its first year.
Sani said the intervention had become one of the state government’s major measures for cushioning the effects of petrol subsidy removal.
“Our commitment remains clear: to put people first, reduce the burden on vulnerable households and ensure dividends of governance reach ordinary citizens,” he said.
The free CNG transit scheme provides fare-free transportation on designated routes, benefiting workers, traders, students and other residents.
The intervention forms part of the state government’s wider investments in education, skills development, economic inclusion and human capital development.
The state government said the scheme demonstrates how targeted public interventions can reduce household expenditure and improve access to affordable transportation.
Tinubu’s recognition also places Kaduna’s experience within the federal government’s broader effort to promote cheaper and cleaner domestic energy alternatives.
The Kaduna state government said it would sustain the initiative and continue implementing policies designed to deliver tangible benefits to residents.
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