Nigerians pay 131% more for Okada fares in three years

Nigerians have spent 130.87 per cent more on motorcycle (okada) transportation over the three years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, as higher fuel prices and the depreciation of the naira continued to increase transportation costs across the country.

National Bureau of Statistics’ Transport Fare Watch reports for May 2023 and May 2026 showed that the average fare paid for an okada trip rose from N464.55 in May 2023 to N1,072.51 in May 2026, representing an increase of N607.96, or 130.87 per cent.

The increase followed the removal of the petrol subsidy announced by Tinubu on May 29, 2023, which led to higher petrol prices nationwide. The situation was further worsened by the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market and the subsequent depreciation of the naira, which raised the cost of fuel, motorcycles, spare parts, lubricants and vehicle maintenance.

The latest NBS report also showed that transport fares continued to rise across all major categories in May 2026, including bus journeys within cities, intercity road transport, air travel and water transportation.

According to the bureau, “The average transport fare paid on Okada transportation stood at N1,072.51 in May 2026, representing a 3.56 per cent increase compared to the N1,035.69 recorded in April 2026. On a year-on-year basis, the average fare rose by 52.45 per cent, from N703.54 in May 2025 to N1,072.51 in May 2026.”

The May 2023 report put the national average at N464.55, noting that, “The average fare paid on Okada transportation in May 2023 was N464.55, a 0.49 per cent increase from the rate recorded in April 2023 (N462.29). On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 11.30 per cent when compared with the value in May 2022, which was N417.39.”

Further analysis by The PUNCH showed that the average fare for bus journeys within cities increased from N649.59 in May 2023 to N1,431.25 in May 2026, representing a rise of 120.33 per cent over the three-year period.

The average intercity bus fare also increased from N4,002.16 in May 2023 to N9,699.55 in May 2026, translating to a 142.35 per cent increase.

Air travel became more expensive during the period, with the average fare for specified domestic routes increasing from N74,948.78 to N157,552.19, representing a 110.22 per cent rise.

Water transportation also recorded higher fares, with the average fare rising from N1,045.15 in May 2023 to N2,276.48 in May 2026, an increase of 117.81 per cent.

The May 2026 report showed that bus fares within cities continued to increase on both a monthly and annual basis.

“The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 2.43 per cent, rising from N1,397.27 in April 2026 to N1,431.25 in May 2026. On a year-on-year basis, the average fare recorded a significant increase of 38.63 per cent compared to the N1,032.46 paid in May 2025,” the bureau stated.

Intercity transport also recorded higher fares. According to the report, “The average fare paid by commuters for an intercity bus journey per drop stood at N9,699.55 in May 2026, representing a 0.96 per cent increase compared to N9,607.41 recorded in April 2026. On a year-on-year basis, the average fare rose by 21.89 per cent, from N7,957.41 in May 2025.”

For air travel, the bureau said, “The average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes for a single journey was N157,552.19 in May 2026, showing an increase of 0.12 per cent compared with the previous month (April 2026). On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 20.86 per cent from N130,361.85 in May 2025.”