Nigeria sees sharp rise in transport fares in May 2026

Nigeria's transport costs increased across all categories in May 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics Transport Fare Watch report. The average intra‑city bus fare rose to N1,431.25, a 2.43% month‑on‑month increase and 38.63% higher than a year earlier. Intercity bus fares climbed to N9,699.55, up 0.96% from April and 21.89% above May 2025. Domestic airfares edged up 0.12% month‑on‑month to N157,552.19, marking a 20.86% annual rise. Motorcycle (Okada) rides recorded the fastest yearly jump, with an average fare of N1,072.51 – a 3.56% monthly gain and a 52.45% increase from the previous year. Water transport fares rose 2.41% month‑on‑month to N2,276.48, 30.88% higher than a year ago.

State‑by‑state variation was pronounced: Ondo recorded the highest intercity bus fare at N11,080, while Kwara posted the lowest at N7,969.29. Zamfara logged the highest city‑bus fare at N1,878.80; Kano had the steepest domestic air fare at N184,139.29; Kaduna led in motorcycle fares at N1,720.76; Rivers posted the highest water‑transport fare at N6,893.55. Analysts attributed the fare hikes to persistent high diesel and petrol prices, rising vehicle‑maintenance costs, foreign‑exchange scarcity affecting aviation fuel, and broader global commodity price pressures, all eroding disposable incomes and adding to inflationary pressures.