Nigeria: States Set to Cut Travel Costs with Gas, Electric Vehicles

Six North-East state governments agreed on Saturday, 3 October 2026, in Maiduguri to lower public transportation costs by switching to gas-powered stations, electric vehicles, and a dedicated regional airline.

The decision featured in an 11-point agreement issued after the 13th North-East Governors' Forum meeting at the Borno State capital. Vice Chairman Ahmadu Fintiri, Governor of Adamawa State, read the official document signed by Forum Chairman Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State.

Under the new plan, member states will team up with Green Ville Energy to build compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) stations across the region. Gas fuels offer cheaper alternatives to petrol and diesel for drivers and commercial operators.

The region will also launch 10,000 electric tricycles, 300 electric taxis, and 10 electric buses later this month. The federal government supplied the clean-energy fleet through the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

To ease passenger and cargo journeys between the six states and other parts of the country, the governors agreed to set up a joint regional air shuttle service.

Energy strategy focuses on Mambila restart

Beyond road and air transit, the forum asked the federal government to resume work immediately on the Mambila hydropower station in Taraba State.

A recent legal arbitration ruling removed the main court challenge delaying the dam. The governors voiced concern over past delays and asked federal authorities to complete the dam to increase regional power supply.

The leaders cited the active Dadinkowa hydropower plant in Gombe State, which currently feeds the national grid, as proof that joint regional energy action works.

They stated that state governments now treat electricity generation as a single regional goal rather than separate state tasks.

The forum instructed member states to use Nigeria's current electricity laws to build local solar projects and mini-grids. Mini-grids are small, localized power systems that supply electricity to specific towns or districts without relying on the national grid.

The governors commended President Bola Tinubu for restarting federal infrastructure projects in the zone, specifically the Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri railway and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri highway.

They also requested the resumption of paused crude oil search activities in the Magumeri and Gubio areas of Borno State.

Security wins and forest protection plans

Reviewing regional safety, the governors noted gains against insurgents and praised military personnel and security agencies for their service.

To tackle youth joblessness, the forum promised to expand vocational training, technology access, schooling, and job creation across the zone.

The state leaders expressed worry over widespread tree cutting and agreed to train forest control officers alongside the Forestry Research Institute.

Borno Governor Babagana Zulum, Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and Gombe Governor Muhammadu Yahaya attended the conference. Deputy Governors Mohammed Auwal Jatau of Bauchi State and Idi Barde Gubana of Yobe State represented their state governors.

The forum stated that its joint work since its first summit in Gombe in March 2020 gives the zone a single strong voice on federal development.