- Oyo State now operates 30 CNG buses after receiving 10 additional units from the Federal Government, recognising its leadership in sustainable transport.
- The buses will enhance mass transit and support Nigeria’s CNG programme, promoting cleaner, cost-effective transportation.
The Oyo State Government has received 10 additional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses from the Federal Government, boosting its CNG fleet to 30 and solidifying its position as the leading state partner in Nigeria’s clean transport initiative.
Hon. Ibraheem Salami (Dikko), Chairman and Sole Administrator of the Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS), announced the development during a media briefing in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Salami said the Federal Government delivered the new buses in recognition of Oyo State’s strong commitment to sustainable transport and its effective management of the first batch of 20 CNG buses.
“We already had 20 CNG buses operating on routes like Ibadan to Abuja, Abuja to Ibadan, Lagos to Ibadan, and Ibadan to Lagos,” Salami stated. “The Federal Government has given us 10 more because we used the first batch well. This makes Oyo State the top CNG partner in the country.”
Furthermore, he emphasised that the new buses would be strategically deployed across major routes in the state to improve commercial mass transit and offer more cost-effective travel options to residents.
“Our goal is to provide clean, reliable, and affordable transportation for the people of Oyo State,” Salami said. “These buses will help reduce fuel costs for commuters while also cutting harmful emissions.”
The CNG initiative is part of a broader national programme launched by the Federal Government in 2024. The programme also aims to transition Nigeria’s transport sector from petrol to cleaner, more affordable CNG alternatives. It includes free conversion services for petrol-powered vehicles and seeks to lower carbon emissions nationwide.
Salami recalled that the Federal Government first handed over 20 CNG buses to Oyo State in September 2024 during the launch of the programme’s first phase. He noted that the state quickly deployed the vehicles and established efficient operating systems, prompting the federal authorities to send more buses.
He also highlighted Oyo State’s plans to integrate CNG technology into its public transport system. “We are not just expanding our fleet,” he said. “We are building an ecosystem that includes trained personnel, refuelling stations, and ongoing vehicle maintenance. This is a long-term commitment to clean energy.”
With the arrival of the new buses, PTS now operates 30 CNG vehicles, the largest such fleet under any state government in Nigeria. Salami said this expansion will create jobs, improve air quality, and set a national example for sustainable transport.
“We are proud of what we have achieved,” he added. “Oyo State will continue to lead the way in green mobility, working hand-in-hand with the Federal Government to transform how Nigerians move.”