🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Nigerians face 131% increase in motorcycle taxi fares over three years
via Punch Nigeria5 min read
Nigerians have experienced a 130.87 percent increase in motorcycle taxi okada fares since President Bola Tinubu took office, according to an analysis by The PUNCH of the National Bureau of Statistics’ Transport Fare Watch reports for May 2023 and May 2026. The average okada fare rose from N464.55 in May 2023 to N1,072.51 in May 2026. This surge is attributed to higher fuel prices following the removal of the petrol subsidy and the depreciation of the naira, which also increased costs for motorcycles, spare parts, and maintenance. The NBS report for May 2026 indicates that transport fares continued to climb across all major categories, including bus journeys within cities up 120.33 percent, intercity road transport up 142.35 percent, air travel up 110.22 percent, and water transportation up 117.81 percent over the three-year period. Kaduna, Lagos, and Abia recorded the highest average motorcycle transport fares in May 2026, while Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, and Kebbi had the lowest. The South-West region showed the highest average fares for bus journeys within cities and intercity travel, as well as for motorcycle transport. The South-South region recorded the highest average airfare and water transportation fares.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Sea Empowerment & Research Centre SERC has expressed concern over the significant increase in illicit drug seizures at Nigerian seaports. In the first half of 2026, 109,306.75 kilograms 109.3 tonnes of illicit drugs, with an estimated street value exceeding N45bn, were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA. SERC highlights that while these interceptions demonstrate improved intelligence and inter-agency collaboration, they also reveal that transnational organized crime syndicates are increasingly using Nigerian maritime routes and containerized cargo for drug trafficking. The organization warns that this trend could damage Nigeria's international trade reputation, lead to stricter inspections, cause cargo clearance delays, deter investment, and elevate the country's global maritime risk profile. SERC also notes that drug trafficking through maritime channels fuels money laundering, organized crime, corruption, and insecurity. The center advocates for a shift from seizure-based enforcement to intelligence-led prevention, recommending the deployment of AI-driven cargo profiling, wider installation of non-intrusive scanners, strengthened container tracking systems, and enhanced collaboration among relevant agencies, including the full integration of the National Single Window for improved information sharing and risk management. Apapa Port accounted for the largest share of seizures, with 77,959.95 kilograms, representi
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