The Kaduna State Government has stated that its free Compressed Natural Gas-powered mass transit scheme has continued to cushion the impact of rising transportation costs on residents, with the programme now in its 15th month. The scheme, which commenced on July 7, 2025, has been providing free transportation services to students, civil servants, traders, artisans, and the entire citizens of the state.
According to the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmad Mayaki, Kaduna remains the only state providing free CNG-powered mass transit services to its residents, while other states have adopted different levels of fare subsidies. The commissioner stated this in an interview while reacting to President Bola Tinubu's renewed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.
The Kaduna programme operates through eight routes with 100 CNG buses and about 200 bus stops. The initiative has reduced the financial burden on residents, particularly civil servants, students, traders, and artisans, by freeing up money previously spent on transportation. This has significantly improved the productivity of civil servants, who can now save between 40 and 50 per cent of their salaries that would ordinarily have gone into transportation.
President Tinubu had earlier inaugurated the 100 CNG buses in Kaduna on June 19, 2025, alongside other projects in the state. He disclosed that the 100 CNG-powered buses operating on major routes in Kaduna carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year and saved commuters more than N3.5bn in transport costs.
The scheme has also contributed to school enrolment and retention by making transportation more affordable for students. Some students drop out or miss some days of school because of the cost of transportation, but with this transport scheme, it has improved school enrolment and retention. Additionally, the scheme has improved access to healthcare, particularly for women who need to visit hospitals.
The reduction in household transportation expenses has eased pressure on families, and the scheme has contributed to reducing domestic tensions in some households by leaving families with more disposable income. The environmental benefits of the initiative are also significant, with the switch to CNG helping to reduce carbon emissions in the state.
The Kaduna State Government has directed that the free transport service should continue indefinitely, and the state government is currently compiling data on the impact of the programme since its commencement in July 2025. The President had announced the establishment of an implementation committee for the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, citing Kaduna as an example of what could be achieved through cheaper energy and subsidised public transportation.
Key points
- The Kaduna State Government's free CNG-powered mass transit scheme has been in operation for 15 months, easing transportation costs for residents.
- The scheme operates with 100 CNG buses and 200 bus stops, providing free transportation services to students, civil servants, traders, artisans, and the entire citizens of the state.
- The initiative has reduced the financial burden on residents, improved school enrolment and retention, and contributed to reducing domestic tensions in some households.
