The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has strengthened its transport capacity through a strategic partnership with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG), deploying 28 new CNG-powered buses aimed at reducing transportation costs by over 30 per cent across Nigeria.
Speaking at NARTO’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, National President Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman highlighted the transformative impact of the collaboration, describing it as unlocking “enormous opportunities” for the association amid a challenging operating environment.
“Our partnership with PiCNG has brought enormous opportunities to the association,” Othman said. “We have successfully received and deployed new fleets, including 20 units of 14-seater CNG/Petrol buses, 5 units of 56-seater hybrid CNG/Diesel buses, and 3 units of 46-seater CNG/Diesel engine buses.”
The new buses are now servicing interstate and intra-city shuttle routes, providing safer, cleaner, and more affordable mass transportation while delivering direct economic relief to commuters and operators. “These vehicles are actively reducing transportation costs by over 30 per cent,” Othman emphasized.
The PiCNG partnership promises further expansion, with assurances of additional buses in the near future. “We have received confirmations that more buses will be allocated to our association, ensuring sustained momentum in expanding eco-friendly fleets,” he added.
Reflecting on NARTO’s 2025 achievements, Othman commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the transport sector, particularly through the CNG initiative and national road construction and rehabilitation efforts, which directly benefited NARTO members. He urged road users to observe traffic rules, including axle load limits, to preserve infrastructure for long-term sustainability.
Othman also praised the Dangote Group for boosting local refining capacity with the world’s largest single refinery and importing 4,000 trucks for petroleum distribution, highlighting the employment opportunities and improved product availability these investments provide.
He commended the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for initiatives promoting fair pricing mechanisms that make petroleum transportation sustainable and profitable.
Security was identified as a key priority, with strengthened collaborations between NARTO and agencies such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), NDLEA, NAPTIP, Nigerian Customs Service, NSCDC, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Federal Fire Service. Othman noted that operational modalities are being finalised and pilot programmes will soon begin to enhance highway security.
Stakeholder engagement remains robust, with productive collaborations sustained with MEMAN, DAPPMAN, PTD, NUPENG, NLC, IPMAN, NURTW, and RTEAN. Additionally, a landmark Lagos State Government deal for truck funding will support fleet renewal and operational efficiency.
Despite these achievements, Othman acknowledged ongoing challenges including declining revenues from unadjusted freight rates, aging fleets, financing difficulties, poor roads, insecurity, driver harassment, and rising accidents. He called for faster completion of road projects ahead of the rainy season and stronger measures against fuel-scooping.
Looking ahead to the final two years of his tenure, Othman pledged to consolidate gains and pursue further progress for NARTO members. Priorities include expanding PiCNG vehicle fleets, securing favorable funding, and advocating for reviewed freight rates to ensure sustainable and profitable transport operations.
The 2026 AGM reinforced NARTO’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s transport sector, blending innovation through CNG adoption with a commitment to broader sectoral support.
