FG promised cheaper transport with CNG, but fares remain high across Nigeria

The Nigerian government promised cheaper transport fares with the shift to compressed natural gas (CNG), but commuters and commercial drivers report high fares persisting across the country. Despite reduced fuel expenses for some commercial operators, the benefits of cheaper CNG fuel have not translated into lower transport costs for passengers.

The disconnect between fuel savings and fare reductions has raised questions about the extent to which CNG price advantages reach commuters. While the Federal Government expands CNG infrastructure and vehicle conversions, commercial drivers and truck owners report significant savings on fuel, yet they face other expenses that limit the economics of running commercial vehicles.

CNG operators note that cheaper fuel has reduced their operating costs, but limited access to refuelling stations remains a major challenge. A commercial driver who spent N650,000 on conversion expressed that CNG is more profitable than petrol, but access to refuelling remains a problem. Despite the growing adoption of CNG, commuters in Abuja and other parts of the country say transport fares have stubbornly remained high.

Some drivers and commuters attribute the persistently high fares to other expenses that operators contend with, such as vehicle financing, maintenance, tyres, insurance, driver allowances, road-related charges, and the condition of highways. The government has established over 90 CNG refuelling stations across 23 states, but operators stress that fuel is only one component of transportation costs, and addressing the entire value chain is necessary to bring immediate relief to commuters.