By Stella Odueme
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mr. Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, has inaugurated a nine-member Pilot Implementation Committee for the Renewed Hope Mass Transit Bus Scheme for Federal Civil Servants.
The initiative is aimed at reducing the transportation burden and cost faced by federal civil servants while improving their welfare and productivity.
Abel inaugurated the committee on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing 100 electric mass transit buses for civil servants under the Renewed Hope initiative.
According to him on a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu, on Thursday, the provision of the buses demonstrates the President’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and creating an enabling environment for greater productivity.
The HCSF disclosed that the pilot phase would begin with 10 electric buses operating on selected routes before the full deployment of the 100 buses.
He charged the committee to ensure a seamless commencement of the pilot programme, stressing the need for urgency, transparency, innovation and accountability while eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Abel also commended the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin, and his management team for their collaboration.
He expressed confidence that the pilot phase would provide valuable experience for refining the scheme and deploying the remaining buses, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable transportation system for workers in the Federal Public Service.
The committee was mandated to develop an implementation framework, identify suitable routes, establish a transparent enrolment and payment system, recommend affordable fares and ensure adequate safety, security and accessibility, including for persons living with disabilities.
The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Dr. Abdul Sule Garba, while Mr. Nura Umar, representing NADDC, serves as Co-Chairperson.
Other members are Arc. Joy Baderin, Director, IMD; Mr. Emmanuel Agodi, Deputy Director, EIR; Mr. Gbenga Olowoyo, Representative of JNPSNC; Mrs. Joke Onireti, NADDC; Mr. Bright Idehenre, Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund; and Mrs. Bimbo Ayere, NADDC. Mrs. Chinyere Nwosu, CAO, EIR, serves as Member/Secretary.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Garba thanked the HCSF for the confidence reposed in the members and pledged their commitment to delivering on the mandate.
He assured that the committee would work with relevant stakeholders to establish an efficient, safe, transparent and sustainable transportation system for federal civil servants.
The electric buses were launched and commissioned on August 26, 2026, under the Renewed Hope Transit Programme, paving the way for the pilot phase of the initiative.