Lagos State has announced plans to move into commercial production of biogas and bio-methane, positioning the fuel options as a way to cut reliance on imported energy while lowering environmental impacts across the state. The initiative is being developed alongside broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and modernise public transport with lower-emission technologies.
Plans unveiled during 2026 ministerial briefing
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing. The event took place at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Secretariat, Alausa, as part of activities marking the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Osiyemi said the state’s feasibility work indicates that biogas and bio-methane can serve as practical substitutes for diesel. He added that Lagos produces about 13,000 metric tonnes of waste every day, with roughly 45% classified as organic—material he said could be processed into bio-methane locally at a lower cost.
To coordinate the transition from concept to operation, Lagos said it has set up a Technical Committee with members drawn from multiple Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The committee is expected to oversee steps toward reaching full commercial output of the alternative fuel.
Why biogas and bio-methane are being pushed
Osiyemi framed the push for biogas and bio-methane as both an energy and waste-management strategy. By converting organic waste into fuel, the state aims to create a local supply option while also improving environmental sustainability.
Broader transport and emissions agenda
In the same briefing, the commissioner pointed to a series of programmes already introduced to curb carbon emissions and support cleaner urban living. Among the measures highlighted were changes to bus fleets, rail expansion, and a gradual shift away from diesel in public transport operations.
- Lagos began converting 152 First and Last Mile buses from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
- The state is developing a seven-line electric rail network.
- Public transport operations are expected to gradually replace diesel with cleaner energy sources, including electricity, CNG and biogas.
Osiyemi said the CNG buses introduced by the state since 2022 have carried more than 600,000 passengers while reducing fuel spending by 50%. He also reported that two electric buses deployed on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes completed a 90-day pilot phase, during which they transported over 150,000 passengers and cut carbon emissions by about 200,000 kilograms.
The commissioner further disclosed that the Lagos State Government, via the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Transportation and Logistics, worked with United Bank for Africa to introduce 2,000 CNG-powered trucks under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s haulage reform initiative. The programme, he said, is meant to retire older and unsafe trucks linked to road accidents, while encouraging cleaner and safer freight transport across Lagos.
Conference, partnerships and new mobility initiatives
Osiyemi also highlighted the Sustainability Conference organised by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority. The event carried the theme “Harnessing Clean Urban Transport Innovation and Investment in Africa” and brought together African cities, development partners and transport stakeholders to discuss approaches for cleaner and more sustainable transport systems across the continent.
He said the conference was designed to reinforce Lagos’ role as a leading African hub for sustainable urban transport. The commissioner added that the state has introduced initiatives such as the E1 Sport Series and EcoMove Lagos to encourage innovation in water transportation and support cleaner, smarter mobility.
Osiyemi noted that operators in the e-hailing sector are increasingly registering electric and CNG-powered vehicles, signalling growing market acceptance of cleaner transport alternatives.
He said the overall package of policies and investments aligns with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the state government, which focuses on eco-friendly transportation, emissions reduction, improved traffic management, and better integration across road, rail, air and water transport to support economic growth.
