As part of efforts to reduce transportation costs and promote cleaner energy, the Federal Government of Nigeria has handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). The buses are expected to provide affordable transport options and ease the burden on workers and students.
The official handover ceremony took place on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, as part of the celebrations marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary. Leading the government delegation was the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who was accompanied by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
Wale Edun stated that the distribution of the buses fulfills President Bola Tinubu’s promise to alleviate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, noting that the CNG buses are an important part of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi). The initiative aims to offer more affordable and efficient public transportation, particularly to workers and students, while also supporting the government’s economic reform efforts.
“This initiative is designed to support the most vulnerable groups in society and ensure that transportation costs are kept low,” Edun said. He added that the government plans to roll out more than 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the coming months.
Edun emphasized the environmental benefits of the CNG program, stating that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to adopting cleaner energy solutions while leveraging its abundant natural gas resources to drive industrialization. He also highlighted the economic advantages, noting that CNG-powered vehicles cost significantly less to fuel compared to petrol-powered ones.
“We’re transitioning to cleaner, more affordable fuel options, and today’s handover marks a critical milestone in President Tinubu’s economic policies,” Edun explained. “This will also contribute to reducing inflation, which has already begun to stabilize.”
Speaking at the event, Comrade Nuhu Toro, Secretary-General of TUC, expressed gratitude for the provision of the CNG buses, noting that they would help ease the daily struggles of Nigerian workers. Toro also thanked the President for implementing the new national minimum wage of N70,000, which he described as a crucial step in reducing the economic burden on workers.
NANS President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, praised the government for its continued support for education and student welfare, citing the newly established student loan scheme as another example of the administration’s commitment to students. “We are delighted to receive these CNG buses, and we commend President Tinubu for his efforts to improve student welfare,” Emonefe stated.
Comrade Uche Ekwe, Head of International Desk at NLC, called for the deployment of more CNG buses across the country to further reduce transportation costs for the public. “The impact of these buses will be more evident as more of them are rolled out nationwide. Nigerians will appreciate the benefits when they start using these buses daily,” he said.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, noted that the CNG initiative had gained momentum since its inception, with significant investments and infrastructure developments in the sector. Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director of PCNGi, revealed that over $175 million had been invested in the initiative, with more than 125 conversion centres established and 12 mother stations commissioned across the country.
The Federal Government plans to expand vehicle conversion centres to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, further enhancing the availability of CNG-powered vehicles and promoting the use of cleaner energy nationwide.
