•A motor park in Lagos
As thousands of holiday-makers hit the highways for Christmas and New Year reunions, many Nigerians are voicing concern over soaring inter-state travel costs, especially by road – even as fuel prices remain stable and there are no queues at petrol stations this season.
With families eager to reconnect across regions, the price of a bus ticket is testing household budgets and reshaping festive travel plans, reports Daily Independent.
Sky-High Fares Despite Stable Fuel Prices
Across major transport operators serving Nigeria’s principal long-distance routes, ticket prices from Lagos to destinations in the South-East and North have climbed sharply in recent weeks.
Findings by our correspondent reveal that bus companies list fares from Lagos to some South-Eastern cities – Enugu, Owerri, Abah and Onitsha – between N25,000 and N35,000, for standard service. Some list N40,000 and above for premium service – way higher than typical off-peak rates earlier in the year.
Similarly, industry listings show some inter-city operators quoting Lagos to Abuja around N45,000 or more and Lagos to Kaduna and Kano similarly priced as demand spikes.
While exact prices for some northern states this festive period are harder to pin down, long-distance travel beyond the North-Central corridor traditionally incurs even higher charges because of distance, poor roads and insecurity.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that average intercity bus fares grew by around 1.55 percent month-on-month and 13.67 percent year-on-year in October 2025, highlighting broader inflationary pressure on road transport costs.
Transport operators explain that higher demand during peak seasons – combined with costs tied to vehicle maintenance, driver incentives, tyres, insurance and tolls – tends to push fares upwards, even when fuel costs are not rising.
Passengers Speak
Our correspondent spoke with some travellers at major Lagos parks, and many expressed frustration with the current rates.
“I dey go see family for Onitsha but this fare don too much o,” sighed Chiwendu, a passenger at Jibowu Park, clutching her ticket. “Last year, I fit pay like N15,000, now I dey beg them to collect N25,000 – na Christmas tax dem put for am?” she said in Pidgin English, emphasising the strain on her budget.
Another commuter heading to Kano from a major luxurious bus station in Agege, Lagos – Alhassan Umaru, lamented the difference between expectations and reality: “I no believe say travel go reach this price, na so dem just dey collect money. Fuel price no crazy, yet travel fare don high like say na fly the motor wan fly.”
Transport business owners also acknowledged the pressure.
Mr. Okeke, who runs a fleet servicing Lagos–South East routes, explained: “We try balance affordability with costs. Service demand double now, plus we dey give drivers extra money to take settle police and other security agents on the road. Those ones no dey take abeg. They know it’s a festive period and there are plenty of them on the road now. You can count more than 200 roadblocks from Lagos to Owerri – all these reflect in ticket price.”
Triggers Behind The Cost Increase
Even though fuel queues have disappeared and pump prices have been relatively stable this season, other underlying factors are influencing fare hikes.
For example, vehicle maintenance, spare parts and insurance premiums have risen significantly year-on-year, adding to operators’ cost base.
Also, festive travel bursts lead to higher ticket pricing as operators adjust for limited seat availability. And, as explained by Mr. Okeke, there is broader inflation in Nigeria where everyday expenses for drivers, attendants, security agents and transport unions have escalated, indirectly affecting passenger fares.
Hidden Dangers Of Peak-Period Road Travel
While the festive exodus brings families together, it also raises significant safety concerns.
To maximise profit, some operators may accommodate more passengers than vehicle capacity, compromising safety.
There is also driver fatigue, caused by long hours on the road with tight schedules, increasing the risk of accidents. Another major concern is security risks on certain corridors – particularly in North-Central and North-West regions. Those routes remain fraught with threats of banditry, kidnapping and highway robbery, issues long flagged by international travel advisories.
Also, many rural stretches lack adequate safety features, heightening accident risk at night.
According to the NBS Transport Fare Watch report, rising fares aren’t limited to inter-state routes: intra-city travel has also seen moderate increases, with Lagos recording among the highest average bus fare within cities in the country.
Festive Joy, Financial Strain
For many Nigerians, the festive season remains a cherished time for reunion. Yet this year’s higher road travel costs without corresponding increases in fuel prices have left travellers questioning the fairness of peak-season pricing and grappling with how to balance celebration and budgetary realities.
As operators and travellers alike navigate the rush, the common sentiment is that, without more regulated pricing interventions or expanded affordable alternatives, the annual festive travel crunch will continue to disproportionately affect ordinary Nigerians’ finances and safety on the roads.
