Nigeria faces transport challenges as CNG adoption grows

The introduction of 50 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration in Edo State aims to provide more affordable and reliable transport for residents, including students and low-income households. This initiative seeks to address the long-standing capacity issues of the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), which has struggled with fleet shortages and aging vehicles in recent years.

However, the shift toward CNG is facing logistical hurdles. While many commercial drivers have converted their vehicles from petrol to CNG to avoid high petrol prices, inadequate refueling infrastructure has led to significant delays. Motorists at stations, such as the NIPCO CNG station in Ibafo, Ogun State, report spending hours in queues, sometimes even staying overnight. These delays have raised concerns that the time lost waiting for fuel may offset the cost savings, impacting the efficiency of commercial transport services across Lagos, Ogun, and other regions.