The average cost of travelling by commercial motorcycle, popularly known as okada, has increased by 130.87 per cent over the past three years, according to an analysis of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Transport Fare Watch reports.
The figures show that the average fare rose from N464.55 in May 2023 to N1,072.51 in May 2026, an increase of N607.96.
The rise follows the removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, as well as the depreciation of the naira, which has driven up the cost of fuel, motorcycles, spare parts and maintenance.
The latest NBS report also recorded increases in other transport categories. The average fare for bus journeys within cities climbed from N649.59 in May 2023 to N1,431.25 in May 2026, representing a 120.33 per cent increase.
For intercity bus travel, the average fare rose from N4,002.16 to N9,699.55, while the cost of domestic air travel increased from N74,948.78 to N157,552.19 over the same period.
The average fare for water transportation also increased from N1,045.15 in May 2023 to N2,276.48 in May 2026.
On a month-on-month basis, the NBS said the average okada fare rose by 3.56 per cent between April and May 2026, while the year-on-year increase stood at 52.45 per cent.
State-by-state data showed that Kaduna recorded the highest average okada fare at N1,720.76, followed by Lagos at N1,660.00 and Abia at N1,562.00. The lowest average fares were recorded in Adamawa at N761.32, Akwa Ibom at N778.06, and Kebbi at N805.80.
The report also found that the South-West recorded the highest average motorcycle transport fare among the geopolitical zones at N1,184.15, while the North-Central had the lowest zonal average at N998.38.
The continued rise in transport costs has added to concerns over the increasing cost of living, with many motorists and commuters urging the Federal Government to introduce measures to cushion the impact of higher fuel prices.
