Tinubu Promises Cheaper Transport From October 1 But Nigerians Have Heard These Promises Before

President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigerians will begin to enjoy cheaper public transport fares from October 1, 2026, following an agreement reached with state governors after a meeting at the State House in Abuja on Thursday. The President made the announcement in a post on his verified X handle, stating that a joint Federal and State committee would implement measures to ensure that the benefits of cheaper fuel, particularly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, are passed on to commuters.

“A vehicle running on CNG spends 60 to 80 per cent less on fuel than one running on petrol,” the President said. “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.”

The President’s announcement comes three years into his administration, during which transport costs have soared, fuel prices have more than tripled, and millions of Nigerians have been pushed deeper into poverty. The removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023 triggered a 463 per cent increase in petrol prices and sent transport costs spiralling out of control. The floating of the naira has seen the currency lose more than 70 per cent of its value against the dollar, further driving up the cost of goods and services. While the government has promoted CNG as a cheaper alternative, the conversion of vehicles to CNG has been slow and expensive, leaving most Nigerians still dependent on petrol.

The President also announced that 500 additional CNG stations would be unveiled ahead of the October 1 deadline, a move aimed at encouraging the adoption of cheaper fuel. But critics have argued that the government is using the promise of cheaper transport to distract from its failure to address the root causes of the cost-of-living crisis.

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The promise of cheaper transport from October 1 is just another promise from a government that has broken too many of them. President Tinubu promised free education and student loans. He promised to fix the refineries. He promised to end insecurity. He promised to lift Nigerians out of poverty. None of these promises have been kept. And now, with the 2027 elections approaching, he is promising cheaper transport.

The irony is bitter. The same President who removed fuel subsidies and sent prices soaring is now promising to reduce transport costs. The same government that has presided over record inflation and rising poverty is now promising relief. And the same administration that has consistently failed to deliver on its promises is now asking Nigerians to believe that this time will be different.

The President said: “I want to thank the Governors and the committee for acting swiftly, and for the opportunity to solve this problem together. The savings are real, and they must be felt by the people. Our economy is being reset, and the benefits must begin to show. This is a significant step towards a better, more affordable Nigeria.” But for millions of Nigerians who have watched the government celebrate economic indicators while they struggle to afford food, the promise of cheaper transport from October 1 is just another promise that will be forgotten.

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