Category: PM News

Lagos State has received 20 high-capacity Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses as the Federal Government steps up efforts to reduce public transportation costs across the country.

The buses were delivered to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

The buses, including units made by IVM and TATA, were handed over at LAMATA’s headquarters in Lagos.

The development came one day before the Federal Government’s October 1 target for Nigerians to begin seeing reductions in public transport fares through the increased use of CNG and electric buses.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, LAMATA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abimbola Akinajo, said the buses would help improve public transportation in Lagos.

She said the additional buses would provide more capacity, improve reliability and help connect communities across the state.

Akinajo also urged the operators receiving the buses to ensure that they are properly deployed and maintained.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the high-capacity buses would allow more passengers to be transported with fewer vehicles.

He added that the buses could also help reduce waiting times on routes where they are deployed.

The Chief Operations Officer of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Tosin Coker, said Lagos remained important to Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy in public transportation.

He urged operators to maintain the buses properly to ensure they continue to serve commuters effectively.

20 buses increase Lagos CNG fleet

The 20 new buses bring the number of CNG buses operating within Lagos’ regulated public transport system to about 170.

Akinajo said the new buses would be deployed to routes with high passenger demand, particularly the Ikorodu to TBS corridor.

Lagos introduced CNG buses into its regulated transport system in 2024 as part of efforts to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel and lower the cost of operating public transportation.

Akinajo said the lower operating cost of CNG and electric buses had helped LAMATA keep fares within the regulated system from rising despite the increase in diesel prices.

According to her, diesel, which sold for about N950 per litre at the beginning of the year, now costs between N1,950 and N2,100 per litre.

She said the use of CNG and electric buses had helped LAMATA manage the higher operating costs without transferring the full burden to commuters through higher fares.

The Lagos State Transport Policy targets having 52 per cent of buses in the Bus Rapid Transit system powered by clean energy by 2050.

FG targets cheaper transportation

The delivery of the buses comes as the Federal Government pushes states to use CNG and electric vehicles to reduce transportation costs.

President Bola Tinubu had said state governors agreed under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to take steps to reduce transport fares by taking advantage of the lower operating costs of CNG and electric vehicles.

Tinubu has also cited savings recorded from the use of CNG-powered public transportation in different states.

He said 100 CNG buses in Kaduna transported about 3.2 million passengers during their first year of operation and saved commuters more than N3.5 billion.

He also mentioned fare reductions linked to CNG and alternative-energy transportation in Oyo, Enugu, Plateau, Abuja, Niger and Abia.

120,000 vehicles converted to CNG

The Federal Government is also expanding CNG infrastructure across the country.

The Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund is financing more than 100 gas projects, including 15 CNG mother stations and 86 daughter stations.

The government plans to add another 500 CNG refuelling stations to the 500 already ordered, bringing the planned nationwide total to 1,000 stations.

The Federal Government had also set a target of converting one million commercial petrol vehicles to CNG by 2027.

Data from the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles shows that about 120,000 vehicles have so far been converted.

The CNG initiative was introduced in 2023 following the removal of the petrol subsidy, with the government promoting CNG as a cheaper and cleaner alternative for transportation.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has reiterated the need for accountable conduct and zero tolerance of corruption by every Nigerian in order to give values to the ongoing reforms of the government.

Olukoyede said this in Abuja on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in his Independence Anniversary message to Nigerians.

Olukoyede applauded efforts being made to grow the commanding heights of the polity and described them as ‘building blocks of the greater nation we desire.’

He called on Nigerians to couple all the reform-focused efforts with zero tolerance for corruption.

‘At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. Independence has offered us liberty and self- determination. We are also making considerable progress in nation building. All these efforts are significant. They are the building blocks of the greater nation we desire. Let’s therefore couple all our reform- focused initiatives with zero tolerance for corruption’, he said.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would fare better and emphasized greater need for rejection of corrupt practices in all its forms.

‘We cannot be building and allow corrupt practices to vitiate our efforts. Progress only comes with purposeful rejection of compromises. Nigeria will surely get better!’, he said.

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, has warned party leaders that another victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 could effectively end the political careers of the current crop of opposition leaders.

Amaechi made the declaration on Wednesday while speaking at the ADC National Women League Conference in Abuja, where he urged party members to leave the capital and return to their states to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the presidential election.

The former Rivers State governor told the gathering that ADC leaders could not afford to remain in Abuja while the battle for votes was being fought across the country.

‘If you are not from FCT, go home and campaign. Me, I am going on Wednesday. I will not wear a suit, I will dress like a young man,’ Amaechi said.

He then issued a blunt warning about what he believes would happen to the party’s current leadership if the APC retains power in 2027.

‘Let me tell you what will happen, we the crop of leaders you see here, if APC wins the 2027 elections, we are retired from politics.

‘So if you don’t want us to retire from politics, we must go home.’

Amaechi urged ADC members to focus heavily on mobilisation at ward level, arguing that delivering substantial votes across communities could determine the outcome of the presidential contest.

‘If you bring two thousand votes per ward, just bring two thousand votes and we have won the election,’ he said.

His remarks came as the ADC intensifies preparations for the 2027 presidential election and pushes its leaders and supporters to strengthen mobilisation across the states.

A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Sowunmi has urged Nigerians to disregard rumours being peddled about the state of health of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowunmi who is the convener of The Alternatives said this in reaction to concerns over President Tinubu’s health.

The concerns followed the president’s physical absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with Vice-President Kashim Shettima leading Nigeria’s delegation and delivering the country’s national statement.

Tinubu’s absence marked the third consecutive UN General Assembly he did not attend in person, having also been represented by Shettima at the 79th and 80th sessions.

The Presidency said the President was on annual leave, while officials subsequently described his absence as a working vacation.

Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after spending about four weeks abroad.

Upon his return, the President himself said he was healthy and ready to work, while describing concerns about his health as rumours associated with politics.

Speaking to journalists at Ojowo in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun East Senatorial District on Thursday, the convener affirmed that President is healthy and mentally sound.

He therefore called on Nigerians to disregard what he described as rumours surrounding the President’s health.

Sowunmi also noted that Tinubu had personally dismissed speculation about his wellbeing.

‘The President is in good health, the President is in sound mind,’ Sowunmi said, urging Nigerians not to focus on what he described as negative reports about the President.

The PDP chieftain also pointed to Tinubu’s appearance upon returning from his overseas trip as evidence, asking whether his physical demeanour suggested that he was unwell.

The Ogun politician also defended Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA personally, arguing that Nigeria remained represented through the Vice-President.

He said the Vice-President’s presence at the global gathering was sufficient to represent the country and the President, noting that Shettima participated in high-level engagements and delivered Nigeria’s national statement.

The Presidency had similarly maintained that Tinubu’s absence did not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, stressing that Shettima carried the President’s mandate at the UNGA.

Sowunmi further argued that Tinubu’s presence was needed to pursue domestic economic priorities, rather than attending the UN gathering simply for ceremonial purposes.

He cited major investment opportunities involving Nigeria, including proposed investments in the gas sector and a deep-sea port project in Ogun State, as examples of economic engagements he said should receive the President’s attention.

Sowunmi while addressing his supporters, urge them all to give a massive vote to all APC candidates in Ogun East senatorial district most especially Prince Dapo Abiodun.

The Ukomu Igala Organisation (UIO) Worldwide has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for pursuing economic reforms, even as it called on the Federal Government to do more to tackle poverty, insecurity, and the decline of social amenities across the country.

In a statement issued to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, the UIO President, Major General James Ataguba (Rtd), said the organisation, which represents the Igala people of Kogi State, joined other Nigerians at home and in the diaspora in celebrating the milestone.

Ataguba described Nigeria as ‘a symbol of resilience, strength, unity in diversity, and boundless opportunities’ despite decades of challenges, and said the Igala people had remained committed stakeholders in the Nigerian project through their contributions to security, public service, commerce, education, and culture.

He acknowledged what he called the ‘determination and courage’ of the Tinubu administration in steering the country through economic and structural reforms, noting that such reforms, though necessary for a stronger economy and sustainable development, could be painful in the short term.

However, the retired military general said the UIO was concerned that multidimensional poverty, insecurity, and deteriorating social infrastructure – particularly at the grassroots – remained pressing issues that could undermine the gains of government reforms if not urgently addressed.

‘Unless addressed urgently, these issues will ultimately diminish the current efforts of the Federal Government,’ Ataguba said, calling for ‘more practical and productive steps’ to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians to remain united and committed to nation-building, stressing that the future of the country could not be achieved by government alone but would require the ‘shared commitment and sacrifices, hard work, and patriotism of all citizens.’

Describing Nigeria as ‘a beacon of hope for Africa and the Black race,’ Ataguba said the country’s diversity remained its strength and its unity its shield, expressing optimism that Nigeria would eventually become ‘the envy and desire of all nations.’

The UIO president congratulated the government and people of Nigeria on the anniversary and prayed for continued peace, stability, and progress for both Kogi State and the country at large.

The statement was signed by Major General James Ataguba (Rtd), President of the Ukomu Igala Organisation Worldwide.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, has urged Nigerians to mark the country’s 66th Independence anniversary with renewed commitment to unity, inclusive growth and sustainable national development.

According to a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, the Presidential Aide described the anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s resilience, honour its founding fathers and strengthen collective efforts towards a prosperous and equitable nation.

She emphasized that the ideals of independence must translate into access to quality education, affordable healthcare, decent employment, basic infrastructure and opportunities for citizens to improve their lives.

These aspirations, she noted, align with the Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a framework for tackling poverty, reducing inequality, empowering women and young people, and building peaceful communities.

The SSAP-SDGs stressed that national progress must be measured by improvements in citizens’ wellbeing, particularly among vulnerable households and underserved communities. She identified investments in schools, healthcare, clean water and productive livelihoods as essential to achieving meaningful development outcomes.

Orelope-Adefulire highlighted women’s economic empowerment as a driver of household wellbeing and inclusive growth, calling for expanded access to skills, enterprise opportunities and productive resources. She also advocated greater investment in young Nigerians through education, practical training and opportunities to apply their creativity and enterprise.

With the 2030 SDGs deadline approaching, she urged governments at all levels to accelerate implementation through coordinated planning, targeted investment and stronger accountability.

She called for closer collaboration among public institutions, businesses, civil society, development partners and communities to mobilise resources and improve service delivery. Reliable data, she added, must guide interventions and help measure their impact.

Orelope-Adefulire reaffirmed her Office’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and advancing the principle of leaving no one behind.

Congratulating Nigerians, she urged citizens to promote peaceful coexistence and contribute to community development, expressing confidence that unity and purposeful leadership would strengthen the country’s journey towards lasting prosperity.

As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International-Nigeria (FGBMFI) has congratulated the nation while urging citizens to move beyond mere celebration and pursue true nationhood built on righteousness, unity and shared values.

The fellowship also called on Nigerians to work towards building a nation that reflects the ideals of true nationhood.

In a message contained in the fellowship’s Independence Day publicity material, the National President of FGBMFI Nigeria, Isaac Okpanachi, Esq., alongside the Board of Trustees, National Executive Council, National Board of Directors and the entire membership, called on Nigerians to remain focused on the nation’s progress.

The Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International-Nigeria (FGBMFI) is set to hold its 2026 National Convention in Lagos from November 11 to 14.

The fellowship said the theme was inspired by the need for Nigerians to ‘press toward the mark’ of a better and united nation while seeking God’s guidance in the affairs of the country.

The convention is expected to bring together members of the fellowship from across Nigeria for spiritual, leadership and fellowship activities.

FGBMFI also urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the 66th Independence Anniversary to reflect on the country’s journey and renew their commitment to national development.

The organisation expressed optimism that, with collective effort, faith and a renewed sense of responsibility, Nigerians could build a stronger nation.

Student unions in Gombe State have pledged that they would vote massively for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in recognition of his contribution to education development, including the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Mr Abubakar Mohammed, President, Students Representative Council, Gombe State University (GSU), stated this at a news conference in Gombe on Thursday.

Mohammed, who is also the Gombe State Coordinator of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), described the NELFUND scheme as the most impressive and impactful education intervention of any administration in recent times.

He said that the initiative has tackled one of the major challenges preventing and denying indigent students access to higher quality education.

Mohammed said that over 11,000 students of the GSU benefited from the scheme since inception.

‘This is timely considering the number of students who dropped out of school, but they are now back and studying without any fear of financing or funding.

‘This means a lot to students here, and we are ready to re-elect the president as our own way of saying thank you.

‘Voting Tinubu means more access to education and from all indications, Tinubu’s administration has prioritised education and students’ welfare.

‘For this, we will re-elect him, including our parents because the burden of paying school fees has been taken off their shoulders. So, they have a duty to vote for Tinubu too,’ he said.

Mohammed said that massive mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election was ongoing in the North-East region.

‘Anyone thinking of scrapping NELFUND does not care about students.

‘So, the opposition have already shown us that they do not care about us, they do not care about the youths, and they do not care about the education of Nigerian students.

‘So, we are saying Tinubu’s re-election is our task and duty.

‘We will support those who support us, and we will appreciate those who appreciate us.

‘We will vote for President Tinubu because we want NELFUND sustained to keep many students in school else the drop out may continue which will not help us in the north,’ he said.

Mohammed urged the government at all levels to sustain investments in education, skills development, and the youth, stressing that the strength of Nigeria’s next generation would determine the strength of the nation.

A man simply identified as Sikiru was killed while his wife housewife, two children and six others were abducted by bandits who invaded Babban Saura (PW) community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the early hours of Thursday.

The bandits invaded three houses in the community, according to community source.

The source said the attackers first invaded the residence of an elderly man and abducted two of his children.

He said the assailants later proceeded to the residence of the man identified as Sikiru, where they broke through the fence and gained entry into the compound.

According to him, Sikiru attempted to resist the attackers when they entered his parlour and engaged some of them in a struggle.

The source said the bandits eventually shot and killed him before abducting his wife and two children.

He added that the attackers also invaded a neighbouring house, where they abducted a woman and her four children.

The woman, identified as Maman Mubarak, was later rescued by soldiers and local vigilantes, while her four children remained in captivity.

The commander of the local vigilantes, Usman Adamu, confirmed the incident to, saying nine persons were initially abducted.

Adamu said the vigilantes received a distress call about the attack and immediately alerted soldiers, who joined them in pursuing the bandits.

‘We received a distress call that bandits had entered Babban Saura PW, and so we informed soldiers who joined us.

‘We traced them to the Eastern Bypass area and succeeded in rescuing a woman, Maman Mubarak, whose four children were among those kidnapped,’ he said.

He said the security personnel made efforts to rescue the other victims, but the attackers escaped with them.

Another resident, who identified himself as Anas, said Sikiru had called him after the attackers stormed the community.

During a visit to the community, sympathisers were seen gathered at the deceased’s residence, while residents expressed concern over the security situation.

The attack came a few days after suspected bandits invaded a nearby Kadaure community, where a man was reportedly killed and cows rustled.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful as the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansur Hassan, could not be reached on phone.

Hassan had also not responded to a text message sent to him.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other development partners have commended Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his commitment towards strengthening the state’s healthcare system and addressing the human resources for bridging the gap in the health sector.

The WHO representative in Kano, Dr. Sunusi Abubakar Mayana, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative in Kano, Dr. Muhammadu Damish, made the commendation during the official launch and presentation of appointment letters to 2,037 newly recruited clinical and non-clinical health personnel at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

Mr. Mayana said the role of development partners was not to compete with government but to support and mobilise the resources needed to implement government programmes and policies.

According to him, the recruitment demonstrated the Governor’s commitment to delivering results and addressing critical gaps in the health sector, noting that the impact of the intervention would be felt by families across the state.

He commended the government for working through established systems and institutions, stressing that sustainable development requires building systems that will continue to deliver results beyond the present administration.

The UNICEF representative also commended the state government for investing in human resources and strengthening healthcare delivery, describing the recruitment as an important step towards improving access to quality healthcare services.

In his remarks, the chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) also lauded Governor Yusuf for transforming primary healthcare facilities across the state and upgrading major secondary healthcare institutions.

The professional body noted that the upgrading of hospitals, including Muhammad Buhari Hospital and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Hospital, would strengthen medical training, residency programmes and specialised healthcare services.

Other stakeholders, including the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Medical and Health Workers Union and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria said the reforms represented an investment in the future of healthcare delivery in Kano, adding that generations of citizens would benefit from the improvements.

They urged the government to sustain the momentum and continue supporting initiatives that create opportunities for citizens and strengthen the healthcare system.

The development partners reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration with the Kano State Government to consolidate the gains recorded in the health sector.