Domestic air travel fares in Nigeria increased by 20.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) to N157,552 in May 2026, up from N130,361 in May 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported.
NBS Transport Fare Watch Details
In its latest Transport Fare Watch report, the NBS disclosed that the average fare paid by air passengers for a specified route (single journey) stood at N157,552.19 in May 2026. On a year-on-year basis, this represented a 20.86 percent rise from N130,361.85 in May 2025.
The bureau also highlighted regional variations in airfares. Kano State recorded the highest average fare at N184,139.29, followed by Lagos State at N176,971.65. The lowest fares were observed in Gombe State (N135,800.61) and Nasarawa State (N138,999.14).
Other Transport Categories
Beyond air travel, the NBS report showed significant increases across other transport modes. The average fare for bus journeys within the city per drop rose to N1,431.25 in May 2026, a 38.63 percent increase from N1,032.46 in May 2025.
Intercity bus journeys saw an average fare of N9,699.55 per drop in May 2026, up 21.89 percent from N7,957.41 in May 2025. Motorcycle (Okada) transportation fares surged 52.45 percent to N1,072.51, compared to N703.54 a year earlier. Water transport fares also increased by 30.88 percent to N2,276.48, from N1,739.32 in May 2025.
Impact on Commuters
The steep rise in transport fares, particularly for Okada and bus services, is likely to strain household budgets amid broader inflationary pressures. The NBS data underscores the rising cost of mobility across Nigeria, affecting both urban and intercity travelers.
