Transport cost pain bites despite Tinubu’s Oct 1 promise

Just before the federal government’s October 1 deadline for the implementation of lower transport fares, commuters across Nigeria continue to face significant financial strain as the promised relief remains largely elusive.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s earlier commitment that Nigerians would begin to benefit from cheaper transport costs starting from October 1, 2026, through the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, the reality on the ground suggests a slow rollout and persistent high costs.

The initiative, which was intended to leverage the cost-efficiency of CNG to reduce fares, has yet to translate into the widespread relief expected by the public. Many commuters report that transport fares remain high, with some routes seeing no reduction at all, leaving citizens to grapple with the ongoing economic pressure.