Ekiti Rolls Out CNG Buses as Government Targets Lower Transport Costs for Residents.

Ekiti Rolls Out CNG Buses as Government Targets Lower Transport Costs for Residents.

The Ekiti State Government has begun deploying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses under the Ekiti Transport Services scheme as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs and provide more affordable mobility for residents.

The development comes amid the Federal Government’s wider National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which seeks to translate the lower operating cost of alternative fuels into reduced fares for commuters across Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu had directed states to accelerate the rollout of CNG and other alternative-energy transport services, with fare reductions targeted from October 1, 2026.

In Ekiti, reports indicate that about 15 CNG buses have been rolled out under the state’s transport scheme. The buses are expected to serve routes including Ado Ekiti Lagos, Ado Ekiti Ibadan and Ado Ekiti Port Harcourt, expanding access to government supported transportation for commuters.

The state’s CNG programme builds on its earlier participation in the federal initiative. The Ekiti State Government took delivery of 15 Pi-CNG buses in October 2024, while the National Automotive Design and Development Council subsequently trained technicians in the state ahead of broader CNG adoption. At the time, officials said supporting infrastructure, including CNG dispensing facilities, would be necessary to translate cheaper fuel into lower transportation costs.

The rollout is taking place against a backdrop of persistent pressure on household transportation budgets. National data and recent reporting show that transport fares remain significantly elevated, while access to CNG infrastructure differs considerably from one state to another. The Guardian reported that Ekiti had received 15 CNG buses, but also highlighted challenges involving conversion centres and refuelling infrastructure.

While the broader CNG initiative has produced substantial fare reductions on selected routes in some parts of Nigeria, the scale and sustainability of the savings depend on the availability of buses, refuelling stations, conversion facilities and government support. The Presidential Initiative on CNG said recently that fare reductions had already begun on some routes, with further reductions expected as more vehicles and infrastructure are deployed.

For Ekiti commuters, the introduction of the CNG buses represents an effort to provide an alternative to conventional petrol powered transport at a time when rising operating costs continue to affect commercial transportation. However, the extent to which the initiative can deliver a sustained 50 per cent reduction in fares will depend on route coverage, operational capacity and the availability of affordable CNG supplies.

The development also places Ekiti within the wider national transition towards alternative energy transportation, as federal and state authorities seek to reduce the impact of fuel costs on commuters while expanding the use of cleaner energy sources in public transport.