Tinubu applauds Kaduna’s free CNG transit, says states must deliver relief to citizens

President Bola Tinubu has commended Kaduna State’s free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit scheme, describing it as a model of the kind of practical intervention expected from state governments to cushion the economic burden on Nigerians.

The scheme, which operates a fleet of 100 CNG-powered buses, recorded about 3.2 million passenger trips and saved commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in its first year, according to the Kaduna State Government.

President Tinubu made special mention of the Kaduna initiative in a post on his official X account, praising the intervention as an example of how the transition to cheaper domestic energy could translate into tangible relief for citizens.

The post was made available to newsmen by Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki.

“This is more of what we need to see at the subnational level,” the President said.

The commendation came amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government and the 36 state governments to expand the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme and reduce transportation costs across the country.

At a meeting with governors on 27 August, President Tinubu and the state chief executives agreed on the need for coordinated action to deliver significant reductions in commuting costs, with an implementation committee subsequently established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, was appointed to lead the committee.

Working with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, the committee is expected to identify priority transport corridors, determine appropriate interventions for different locations and establish an operational framework for implementation.

The push for CNG-powered transportation has gained added urgency amid disruptions in global energy supplies, which have placed renewed pressure on petrol and diesel prices and contributed to rising transportation costs.

The Tinubu administration has maintained that Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources provide an opportunity to reduce the country’s exposure to imported fuel costs and international energy price shocks.

The President has also ruled out a return to the former petrol subsidy regime, arguing that it placed a heavy burden on public finances and exposed the economy to fluctuations in international oil prices.

Instead, the Federal Government says it will support states that adopt CNG transportation and other interventions capable of delivering measurable relief to citizens.

Responding to the presidential commendation, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to people-centred governance.

“We deeply appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this recognition and for his administration’s continued support to subnational governments in delivering meaningful interventions to our people,” Sani said.

The governor said Kaduna had continued to pursue interventions in areas with direct implications for citizens’ welfare, including education, vocational training, skills development and transportation.

“Kaduna State continues to set national benchmarks in critical areas: from tackling the challenge of out-of-school children and expanding vocational training and skills development to pioneering CNG mass transit,” he said.

Sani also highlighted the scale of the free transport programme, describing it as one of the administration’s most significant responses to the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal.

“Kaduna remains the only subnational government providing FREE CNG mass transit rides to its citizens. With about 3.2 million passenger trips and over ₦3.5 billion saved by commuters in the first year alone, the scheme has become one of our most impactful interventions in cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal,” the governor said.

He added:

“Our commitment remains clear: to put people first, reduce the burden on vulnerable households and ensure that the dividends of governance reach ordinary citizens.”

A direct intervention in household costs

The Kaduna free CNG transit scheme is part of the state government’s broader response to the economic pressures facing households following the removal of petrol subsidies.

By providing free rides on designated CNG-powered buses, the programme has reduced transportation expenses for workers, traders, students and other residents who depend on public transport for their daily activities.

The reported ₦3.5 billion in savings represents money retained by commuters and households at a time when rising transportation and living costs have placed additional pressure on disposable incomes.

The intervention also complements the administration’s investments in education, skills development, economic inclusion and human capital development.

President Tinubu’s recognition has consequently placed Kaduna’s experience within the Federal Government’s wider effort to expand the use of CNG as a cheaper and domestically available alternative to petrol and diesel.

For Kaduna, the presidential commendation represents both recognition of the programme’s reported impact and a renewed call to sustain interventions aimed at reducing the economic burden on citizens.

As Nigeria’s national CNG programme expands, the Kaduna experience is likely to remain part of the conversation on how state governments can translate national energy and economic policies into practical relief for citizens at the grassroots.

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