Zamfara Targets Cleaner Transport as Lawal, Federal CNG Initiative Explore Green Mobility Hub

The Zamfara State Government is stepping up efforts to overhaul its transportation system through the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles as part of a broader push for cleaner, cheaper and more sustainable mobility.

Governor Dauda Lawal on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, hosted the Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, at the Government House in Gusau.

Discussions centred on expanding the use of CNG and electric vehicles across the state while developing infrastructure capable of supporting affordable and environmentally friendly transportation.

During the meeting, Ahmed highlighted Zamfara’s potential to emerge as an important green mobility hub serving the Northwest and the broader Sahel region.

Under the proposed collaboration, the state could develop a Green Mobility Hub incorporating CNG refuelling stations, electric vehicle charging points and vehicle conversion centres.

The federal initiative also indicated its readiness to provide technical and financial assistance for the project, with the possibility of accessing a $500 million fund dedicated to clean mobility equipment.

Zamfara has already begun positioning itself for the transition. The state government has acquired electric vehicles for public transportation and installed charging infrastructure to support their deployment.

Governor Lawal disclosed that the state had procured 100 electric taxis and about 50 buses for public transportation, with charging facilities also provided.

The governor further said test runs of CNG-powered buses designed for students were already underway, while plans were at an advanced stage to make the Government House fully off-grid within weeks.

Beyond transportation infrastructure, the state has also invested in skills development. An automotive training centre was previously inaugurated to train young people in areas including CNG vehicle maintenance and mechatronics, creating a pool of technicians capable of supporting the emerging green transport ecosystem.

A major objective of the federal CNG and electric vehicle initiative is to make transportation more affordable for Nigerians by reducing the cost of operating vehicles.

The Pi-CNG & EV is targeting a nationwide reduction in transportation fares from October 1, 2026, with the expectation that lower fuel costs will translate into cheaper fares for commuters.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of ensuring adequate CNG infrastructure along major transportation routes. Officials stressed that the availability of fuel and supporting infrastructure would be critical to achieving the affordability objective, noting that “anything that is not available is not affordable.”

The engagement between the Zamfara Government and the federal initiative marks another step in the state’s efforts to modernise its transportation sector, with the proposed partnership potentially delivering lower commuting costs, cleaner energy use, new technical jobs and improved mobility across the state.