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Nigerians are paying significantly more for motorcycle (okada) transportation, with fares rising by 130.87 per cent in the three years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, according to an analysis of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data.
The analysis, based on the NBS Transport Fare Watch reports for May 2023 and May 2026, showed that the average fare for an okada trip increased from ₦464.55 in May 2023 to ₦1,072.51 in May 2026, representing an increase of ₦607.96.
The sharp rise followed the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, which triggered higher fuel prices and increased the cost of motorcycles, spare parts, lubricants and maintenance.
The latest NBS report also showed that transport fares rose across other categories. Bus fares within cities climbed by 120.33 per cent, increasing from ₦649.59 in May 2023 to ₦1,431.25 in May 2026.
Intercity bus fares rose by 142.35 per cent, from ₦4,002.16 to ₦9,699.55, while average domestic airfares increased by 110.22 per cent from ₦74,948.78 to ₦157,552.19.
Water transport fares also rose by 117.81 per cent during the period, increasing from ₦1,045.15 to ₦2,276.48.
In May 2026 alone, the average okada fare increased by 3.56 per cent from April and was 52.45 per cent higher than the same period in 2025.
Kaduna recorded the highest average motorcycle fare at ₦1,720.76, followed by Lagos at ₦1,660.00 and Abia at ₦1,562.00. Adamawa had the lowest average fare at ₦761.32.
The continued rise in transport costs reflects the broader impact of inflation, higher fuel prices and currency depreciation on the cost of living across Nigeria.
