President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the rollout of 500 additional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations across Nigeria, bringing the planned network to 1,000 stations, while state governors have agreed to work towards reducing transport fares from October 1.
The announcement came as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar continued his campaign pledge to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, prompting journalist Rufai Oseni to question the timing of the Federal Government’s renewed focus on passing CNG savings to commuters.
Tinubu Targets Lower Transport Fares
Tinubu announced the decision in a statement posted on his official X account on Thursday, August 27, 2026, after meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
According to the President, the governors agreed to take immediate steps to reduce transportation costs in their respective states by taking advantage of cheaper CNG and electric vehicles.
“From October 1, our goal is that Nigerians begin to partake in those savings through lower transport fares. We have agreed that cheaper fuel should result in cheaper fares!” Tinubu said.
He also directed the creation of a joint Federal and State committee to begin implementing the measures.
CNG Network to Reach 1,000 Stations
Tinubu said more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG under the Presidential CNG Initiative, while more than 100,000 additional conversion kits are being processed.
The President added that the Federal Government is financing more than 100 gas projects through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. These include 15 CNG mother stations and 86 daughter stations.
He said another 500 CNG refuelling stations had now been ordered in addition to the 500 previously approved by the fund, taking the planned network to 1,000 stations nationwide.
Tinubu said vehicles operating on CNG could spend between 60 and 80 per cent less on fuel than petrol-powered vehicles.
Oseni Questions Timing
Reacting to the announcement, Arise News journalist Rufai Oseni questioned whether the renewed push to reduce fares was connected to Atiku’s recent position on petrol subsidy.
“Dear President Tinubu, so if Atiku Abubakar didn’t talk about subsidy, you wouldn’t know that all the people you said were benefiting from CNG were supposed to be charged less?” Oseni said.
He also challenged Atiku to explain how his proposed subsidy restoration would be financed.
“Atiku Abubakar is yet to tell Nigerians how the subsidy is going to be paid for. We are waiting for him,” he added.
Subsidy Debate Intensifies
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has repeatedly said he would restore targeted petrol subsidy if elected in 2027.
He has argued that removing the subsidy has increased the cost of transportation and food, while saying a targeted system could provide relief without returning to what he described as an import racket.
The Federal Government, however, has continued to defend CNG as a longer-term alternative to petrol and a way of reducing energy and transportation costs.
Commercial transport operators have previously faced criticism for failing to fully transfer lower CNG operating costs to passengers. The October 1 target and the proposed Federal-State committee are expected to test whether the savings can reach commuters.
The competing positions have added another layer to the economic debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the Tinubu administration promoting CNG and energy transition while opposition figures continue to campaign on restoring purchasing power through targeted subsidy.
