Shuttlers, a Nigerian shared-mobility startup, has added 20 compressed natural gas (CNG)—powered buses to its fleet, reducing commuter costs by at least 29% and cutting carbon emissions by 23.5 metric tons in the first quarter of 2025.
For Lagos commuters, fuel prices are a constant stress and this change brings a welcome relief. “This move wasn’t just a decision—it was about making a real impact for us, our customers, and the environment,”saidDamilola Olokesusi, CEO of Shuttlers.
The startup, which enables professionals to book shared transport via its mobile app, is working to ensure sustainable mobility in Nigeria.
Beyond cost savings, the CNG fleet has improved service availability. In Q1, these buses completed 1,484 trips, moving 19,292 passengers—4% of Shuttlers’ total user trips.
Commuters have reported smoother rides and better seat quality, reiterating the startup’s focus on both sustainability and passenger comfort.
On the environmental front, switching to CNG has enabled Shuttlers to prevent the release of nearly 24 metric tons of CO₂. If this trend continues, the company expects to cut 94 metric tons annually—greatly lowering its carbon footprint in Lagos’ notoriously polluted transport sector.
As with any alternative fuel, there are issues about CNG safety. Many Nigerians worry about explosions, leaks, and structural risks. Olokesusi addressed this directly: “The CNG canisters are fireproof and equipped with automatic fire extinguishers that activate instantly in the rare event of a fire.”
She added that the company’s quality assurance team conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with strict safety standards. So far, every trip taken in a CNG vehicle has been incident-free.
Shuttlers is looking ahead to expanding its fleet with more CNG and electric vehicles in the coming months. With expensive fuel prices, the startup’s push for cleaner, more affordable transport would greatly bolster mobility in Lagos.
For commuters seeking a balance between cost, convenience, and sustainability, Shuttlers’ transition to CNG-powered transport may be the beginning of a much-needed change in Nigeria’s urban mobility sector.
In recent years, the cost of transportation in Nigeria, like everything else, has skyrocketed, putting immense pressure on citizens.
This surge is not just a local issue, but one deeply intertwined with national and global factors. The removal of fuel subsidies, the devaluation of the naira, and the volatile nature of international oil prices have all contributed to an unprecedented rise in petrol costs—from N185 per litre before the subsidy removal to a staggering N900, on average.
This hike in transportation costs has left many Nigerians struggling, particularly in urban centres where daily commutes are unavoidable.
For a country where many rely on public transportation to navigate their daily lives, the surge in petrol prices has had a ripple effect.
Transportation costs have risen in direct correlation with fuel prices, affecting everything from the price of goods in local markets to the overall cost of living.
Public transport fares have doubled, in some cases tripled, in a matter of months, further straining the pockets of average Nigerians who are already grappling with inflation and economic uncertainty.
The removal of fuel subsidies—while a necessary economic policy to stem the haemorrhaging of government funds—has nonetheless increased the financial burden on everyday Nigerians. The supposed gains have so far failed to materialise.
Furthermore, the devaluation of the naira has diminished citizens’ purchasing power, leading to higher costs of imported goods and services, including vehicle parts and maintenance for public transport.
These issues are compounded by the fluctuations in the global oil market, leaving Nigerians at the mercy of global economic shifts beyond their control.
Government intervention is required to address the escalating costs of transportation. One immediate solution is to invest heavily in mass transportation schemes that are affordable, reliable, and widely accessible to all citizens.
The government must explore and expand existing transportation systems to relieve a population already reeling from inflationary pressures.
In Lagos, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is a commendable initiative that has provided affordable transport for millions of residents. However, the need for an extension of BRT corridors to cover more areas of the state and increase capacity is urgent.
Expanding the BRT network will ease the traffic burden on roads, reduce the cost of transportation for more residents, and provide a reliable alternative to expensive private vehicle ownership or commercial buses, which are now charging exorbitant fares due to rising fuel costs.
Other states must take a leaf from Lagos’s book. The success of mass transit schemes like the BRT shows that with proper planning and investment, efficient public transport systems can provide significant relief to citizens.
States like Kano, Rivers, and Kaduna, among others, should look into creating their mass transit systems, tailored to the unique needs and topography of their regions.
By doing this, these states can mitigate the transportation crisis and help lower the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.
Beyond implementing new mass transit systems, there is also an urgent need to maintain and expand existing public transportation infrastructure.
Roads need to be repaired and properly maintained, and there must be investment in modern vehicles, which are more fuel-efficient and less prone to breakdowns.
Additionally, alternative fuel sources such as compressed natural gas (CNG) should be explored, as they offer a cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternative to petrol.
The reality is that a well-developed mass transportation system is not a luxury; it is a necessity. At a time when citizens are being squeezed financially from all sides, the government must provide a safety net.
Affordable and reliable public transport can play a crucial role in reducing the cost of living and making life more manageable for millions of Nigerians.
This is particularly important in urban areas, where many rely on public transport to commute to work, access essential services, and maintain their livelihoods.
By investing in mass transportation, the government can also reduce road congestion, lower the demand for fuel, and promote a more sustainable, environmentally friendly mode of transport. Moreover, mass transit schemes will create jobs, stimulate local economies, and contribute to the overall development of Nigeria’s infrastructure.
The government should also explore expanding transportation options. It could consider introducing monorails and, where suitable, water transport systems like ferries.
Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need for government intervention to address this issue. Mass transit systems offer a sustainable and effective solution to the transportation crisis, providing relief for residents and easing the financial burden caused by inflation.
By extending and expanding mass transportation services across Nigeria, the government can not only alleviate immediate economic pressures but also lay the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous future for all Nigerians.
The Enugu State Government has disclosed plans to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses as part of the efforts to preserve the environment and also make transportation affordable for citizens.
The state government has equally created the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to oversight and catalyse investment in the energy and mineral sector.
These were made known Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, by the secretary to the State Government, and Dr. Obi Ozor, the commissioner for Transportation, after a meeting of the State Executive Council at the weekend.
Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, Prof. Onyia said,
“Recall that earlier in this administration, the governor signed the Enugu State Electricity Law and that Law requires that an independent regulator will be set up, but there will also will be a supervising ministry that will handle all our engagements in the energy space and also in our mineral resource space.
“Considering the level of mineral resources availability in Enugu State, the government had decided, at the end of EXCO today, to now create this Ministry and the mandate includes oversight of most of our investment opportunities within the solid mineral space and also to help catalyse investments in the energy space. EXCO resolved that this new Ministry would take effect immediately.”
A CNG mass transit bus
On his part, Dr. Ozor said the state was not only introducing CNG buses, but also building the supporting infrastructure to ensure ease of operation and safety of commuters, noting that the government is also doing its part to not only invest more in buying CNG buses, but also to support private sector investment in the transportation space.
“The Executive Council resolved that it is very important for the state and her citizens to begin the process of transitioning from petrol to CNG which saves about half of the cost of fuel in our transportation, thereby reducing the cost of transportation for our people.
“All these are geared towards bringing safe and affordable and sustainable transportation system. This ties into the infrastructure that is underway – the bus terminals, improved bus shelters, the internet of things and gadgets in these buses that will allow us to be able to know where our citizens are and make sure that they are safe from any incident.
“The state is also creating an enabling environment to attract the right investors within the CNG space and the state has already done that with partnership with Greenville Energy,” he stated.
He explained that the government was already constructing a massive CNG mother station at Ugwu Onyeama, which would have the capacity to serve the entire South East, adding that the construction of the ancillary daughter stations that would look like filling stations would commence in a matter of weeks.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has disclosed a Presidential Initiative to deploy Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit buses which is expected to lead to a reduction of over 50% in transport costs.
Idris, in a statement to the press on Sunday, urged Nigerians to see the initiative as a relief introduced by Tinubu’s administration to alleviate the economic challenges stemming from subsidy removal.
He also noted that there is a concerted effort among the relevant Ministries and Agencies of the Federal Government to tackle inflation, stabilize foreign exchange rates, and establish a genuinely supportive climate for business and investment.
He said,
“Impactful interventions are being rolled out, including a Students’ Loan Scheme, a Presidential Initiative to deploy lower-cost CNG mass transit buses to provide alternatives to petrol and diesel, and various low-interest loan schemes for businesses. The CNG interventions will bring down the cost of transportation by more than 50%.
“We urge Nigerians to take advantage of these opportunities as they emerge, as they have been designed for the benefit of all.
“All relevant Ministries and Agencies of the Federal Government are working in coordinated fashion, to bring down inflation, stabilize foreign exchange rates, and create a truly enabling environment for business and investment.”
CBN, FAAN Relocation to Increase Efficiency
Reacting to the controversies around the relocation of some selected departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as the cooperate headquarters of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the minister advised that citizens should see the move as a pragmatic way to promote efficiency in these departments, not a political move to marginalize any section of the country.
“It is not true that the relocation to Lagos of the Headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and of certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are political moves aimed at marginalizing a section of the country. These allegations are unfounded. Instead, these are pragmatic administrative steps to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs,” he added.
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Idris also emphasized the need for a united Nigeria, warning against high-spirited narratives that may heat up the policy and threaten the bond that holds the citizens together.
He therefore warned against the use of inciting and false claims on different media channels, adding that the objective behind these contents is to frustrate the unity in the country.
“I would like to urge all Nigerians to be especially mindful of all persons and groups at home and abroad, who specialize in making false and inciting claims on radio, TV and social media, as well as in peddling altered videos and images for viral dissemination. We must all stand together as one, against these forces that constantly seek to test and break the bonds that hold us.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the work of building the Nigeria of our dreams is one that must be done by everyone, regardless of our religious faith or ethnic group or geopolitical zone,” the minister said.
