The Lagos State Government has set up a technical committee to promote commercial production of biogas and biomethane, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on imported fuel and expand cleaner energy use.
The state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced the move during a press briefing in Lagos on Monday. He said the committee includes members from different ministries, departments and agencies to ensure smooth coordination of the plan, Punch reported.
Osiyemi said studies have shown that biogas and biomethane can replace diesel, using the large amount of organic waste generated in the state as raw material. He noted that Lagos produces about 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, with nearly 45 per cent being organic, which can be converted into fuel at lower cost.
He added that the committee will help speed up efforts to move towards large-scale production of biogas across the state.
The initiative is part of a wider plan by the government to promote clean energy and sustainable transport. As part of this effort, 152 buses under the First and Last Mile scheme have been converted from petrol to compressed natural gas (CNG), while diesel buses are gradually being replaced with electric, biogas and CNG options.
According to Osiyemi, CNG buses introduced since 2022 have carried over 600,000 passengers and reduced fuel costs by nearly half.
On electric mobility, he said two electric buses operating on Bus Rapid Transit routes completed a 90-day pilot, transporting more than 150,000 passengers and cutting around 200,000 kilogrammes of carbon emissions.
The commissioner also said the state has introduced 2,000 CNG-powered trucks under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s transport reform programme, implemented in partnership with United Bank for Africa. The programme aims to replace older trucks and improve safety and efficiency in goods transport.
He further highlighted progress on the state’s planned seven-line electric rail network to support urban travel. In addition, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority recently hosted a conference focused on clean transport solutions, bringing together cities and industry experts from across Africa.
Other initiatives, including the E1 Sport Series and EcoMove Lagos, are aimed at encouraging innovation in water transport and modern mobility solutions. Osiyemi said more electric and CNG vehicles are also entering app-based transport services, reflecting growing private sector interest in cleaner transport.
He added that these measures are in line with the government’s THEMES+ agenda, which focuses on eco-friendly transport, lower emissions, better traffic management and improved connectivity across different modes of transport.
