The Lagos State Government has announced plans to commence commercial production of biogas and bio-methane as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported fuel and promote environmental sustainability.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this during the ministry’s annual ministerial press briefing while presenting achievements recorded by the transportation sector.
According to Osiyemi, the state government has constituted a technical committee comprising various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to drive the implementation process toward full commercial production.
He explained that a feasibility study conducted by the government confirmed that biogas and bio-methane are viable alternatives to diesel.
The commissioner noted that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, with about 45 per cent classified as organic waste that can be converted into bio-methane fuel at a lower cost.
Speaking on environmental sustainability initiatives, Osiyemi said the government had introduced several programmes aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner transportation across the state.
He listed some of the initiatives to include the conversion of 152 First and Last Mile buses from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), development of a seven-line electric rail network, and gradual replacement of diesel with cleaner energy sources such as electricity, CNG, and biogas in public transportation.
According to him, CNG-powered buses introduced since 2022 have transported more than 600,000 passengers while cutting fuel costs by about 50 per cent.
Osiyemi further revealed that two electric buses deployed on Bus Rapid Transit routes completed a 90-day pilot phase during which they transported over 150,000 passengers and reduced carbon emissions by about 200,000 kilograms.
The commissioner also highlighted the introduction of 2,000 CNG-powered trucks under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s haulage reform programme, implemented in partnership with United Bank for Africa.
He said the initiative is aimed at replacing old and unsafe trucks linked to frequent road accidents while promoting safer and cleaner haulage operations.
Osiyemi added that the state recently hosted a sustainability conference organised by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, themed “Harnessing Clean Urban Transport Innovation and Investment in Africa.”
According to him, the conference brought together African cities, transport stakeholders, and development partners to discuss sustainable urban transportation solutions and further strengthened Lagos’ reputation as a leading city in clean mobility innovation.
He also disclosed that programmes such as EcoMove Lagos and the E1 Sport Series were introduced to encourage innovation in water transportation and promote smarter mobility solutions.
The commissioner noted that the growing registration of electric and CNG-powered vehicles within the e-hailing sector reflects increasing support for environmentally friendly transportation in Lagos.
He said the initiatives align with the state government’s THEMES+ Agenda, which prioritises eco-friendly transportation, lower emissions, improved traffic management, and better integration of road, rail, air, and water transportation systems to drive economic growth.
