Transport costs across Nigeria increased again in May 2026, with commuters paying more for bus, motorcycle, air and water travel despite only moderate monthly inflation, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported.
According to the NBS Transport Fare Watch, the average fare for bus journeys within cities rose by 2.43 per cent to N1,431.25 in May from N1,397.27 in April, representing a 38.63 per cent increase compared to May 2025.
Intercity bus fares also climbed to N9,699.55, while the average domestic airfare rose slightly to N157,552.19, reflecting continued pressure on transportation costs nationwide.
Motorcycle (Okada) transport recorded the sharpest annual increase, with the average fare rising by 52.45 per cent year-on-year to N1,072.51, while water transport fares increased to N2,276.48, up 30.88 per cent from the same period last year.
The report showed wide disparities across states, with Ondo recording the highest intercity bus fares, Zamfara leading in intra-city bus fares, Kano posting the highest domestic airfares, Kaduna recording the highest motorcycle fares and Rivers topping water transport costs.
The NBS noted that although monthly increases were relatively modest, transport fares remained elevated across the country, adding to the cost of living and contributing to inflation by raising the cost of moving goods and services.
The latest figures come as Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 15.93 per cent in May 2026 from 15.69 per cent in April.
