The Lagos State Government has launched a biomethane committee aimed at reducing dependence on imported fuel and accelerating the transition to cleaner and sustainable energy solutions for residents and businesses.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this during a ministerial press briefing held in Lagos on Monday.
Osiyemi said the committee comprised representatives from various ministries, departments and agencies to ensure coordinated implementation of the initiative across the state.
According to him, feasibility studies conducted by the government showed that biogas and biomethane could serve as practical alternatives to conventional diesel fuel.
“Lagos generates about 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, with 45 per cent organic content. This organic waste can be converted into biomethane fuel locally at significantly lower production costs,” he said.
He explained that the newly inaugurated committee would fast-track the state’s drive toward commercial-scale biomethane production.
The commissioner said the initiative formed part of broader environmental sustainability efforts aimed at reducing emissions and improving urban sanitation in the state.
Osiyemi revealed that the government had already converted 152 First and Last Mile buses from petrol-powered systems to compressed natural gas (CNG) engines as part of efforts to promote cleaner transportation.
He also highlighted progress on the state’s seven-line electric rail network, which is expected to enhance mass transit and urban mobility across Lagos.
According to him, diesel-powered bus operations are gradually being replaced with cleaner alternatives, including electric vehicles, biogas and CNG technologies.
Osiyemi disclosed that CNG buses introduced since 2022 had transported more than 600,000 passengers statewide while reducing operational fuel costs by nearly 50 per cent.
He added that two electric buses deployed on Bus Rapid Transit corridors completed a 90-day pilot phase, transporting over 150,000 passengers and preventing about 200,000 kilogrammes of carbon emissions.
The commissioner further revealed that the state had introduced 2,000 CNG-powered trucks under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s haulage reform programme.
He said the initiative, implemented through the transport logistics office in partnership with United Bank for Africa, was designed to replace old and unsafe trucks associated with road accidents across the state.
“The programme is replacing old, unsafe trucks linked with road accidents across the state. It is also promoting safer and cleaner haulage operations within Lagos,” Osiyemi said.
The commissioner also highlighted a sustainability conference organised by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority under the theme “Harnessing Clean Urban Transport Innovation and Investment in Africa”.
He noted that the conference brought together African cities, development partners and transport stakeholders to promote cleaner transport systems and strengthen Lagos’ reputation as a leading sustainable transport hub on the continent.
Osiyemi further mentioned initiatives such as E1 Sport Series and EcoMove Lagos, which he said were created to encourage innovation in water transportation and smart mobility solutions.
He added that more electric and CNG-powered vehicles were now entering the e-hailing sector, reflecting growing private-sector confidence in cleaner transportation systems across Lagos.
According to the commissioner, all ongoing transport reforms align with the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ development agenda, which prioritises eco-friendly transportation, reduced emissions, improved traffic management and integrated multimodal connectivity.
