Nigeria’s transport costs increased across multiple modes in February 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Transport Fare Watch report. Airfares and motorcycle transport charges recorded the steepest rises, reflecting sustained pressure from volatile global fuel markets and domestic pricing adjustments.
The bureau reported that the average airfare for specified routes reached ₦153,647.95 in February, up 1.51 per cent from January and 21.38 per cent year-on-year. Motorcycle fares climbed to ₦920.95, marking a 4.82 per cent monthly increase and a 53.26 per cent jump compared with February 2025. Intra-city bus fares saw a marginal 0.74 per cent rise to ₦1,195.75, while intercity bus fares declined by 4.65 per cent to ₦8,108.81. Water transport fares adjusted upward to ₦2,097.30, a 0.55 per cent monthly increase and a 31.66 per cent annual rise.
Regional and state-level data highlighted significant geographic disparities. The South West recorded the highest average intra-city bus and motorcycle fares, while the South South led in air and water transport costs. Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Abia, and Rivers posted the highest state-level fares in their respective categories, with Kwara, Edo, and the North East consistently reporting the lowest mobility costs across several transport segments.
Market dynamics tie these upward fare adjustments directly to fluctuations in global crude oil and domestic petrol prices. International benchmarks recently experienced volatility amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Brent and WTI crude futures trading near $100 and $98 per barrel respectively before modest pullbacks. In Nigeria, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery recently reduced its petrol gantry price to ₦1,200 per litre, down from ₦1,245 per litre. This adjustment follows a period in which retail petrol prices had consistently exceeded ₦900, fundamentally altering household commuting and logistics expenses.
The NBS data indicates that public transport pricing will remain closely tied to downstream fuel supply efficiency and international energy trends. Stakeholders expect that sustained monitoring of crude market stabilisation and local fuel pricing policies will determine whether transport operators revise tariffs in the coming months or maintain current rates to accommodate commuter affordability.
