Transport fares across Lagos State have continued to fluctuate sharply, leaving commuters frustrated and struggling to plan their daily expenses. From early mornings to late evenings, fares often rise without prior notice, leaving many passengers stranded .
For Daniel Adeyemi, a regular commuter, navigating Lagos’ unpredictable fare system has become a daily struggle.
“Yes oo, I strategise when going out and I try as much as possible not to come back late,” he said.
“Fares go up mostly in the evening. Some drivers say it’s because of traffic, some blame fuel price, while others just insist that’s the amount they want to collect.”
Adeyemi, like many Lagosians, said he has learned to cope with the situation, though it continues to affect his pocket.
“I’m coping already because it’s normal in Lagos,” he added. “But government should make laws that anyone charging more than the normal amount will face consequences.”
Another commuter, Solomon Tomiwa, who travels from Ajah to Obalende, said the constant fare changes has made budgeting nearly impossible.
“It affects me a lot. I can’t plan my transport again,” he said. “From Ajah to Obalende it’s supposed to be ₦1,200 or ₦1,500, but sometimes, I pay ₦2,000.”
While commuters often attribute fare hike to traffic congestion, transport operators point to the rising cost of petrol as the main driver. Since the removal of fuel subsidy, drivers say they have been forced to adjust fares frequently to keep up with unstable pump prices and increasing vehicle maintenance costs.
“Any time fuel price increases or becomes scarce, transport fare automatically jumps,” said a commercial driver, Baba Junior.
“We buy fuel at different prices every week, and the cost of engine oil, spare parts, and daily levies also keeps rising.”
Economic analysts link the instability in Lagos transport fares to Nigeria’s broader macroeconomic challenges — especially fuel price volatility, inflation, and weak regulation.
“Fluctuating transport fares are a reflection of the general instability in the economy,” said Ifeanyi Roland, an economic and policy analyst. “They often indicate rising inflation, volatile fuel prices, and poor transport infrastructure. When fuel or maintenance costs go up, operators immediately adjust fares to survive.”
Roland explained that these fluctuations ripple through the economy, worsening the financial strain on households.
“Unstable fares reduce the disposable income of workers,” he said. “When people spend more on transportation, they have less to spend on food, rent, and other essentials. Over time, this drives up the cost of living and creates more financial stress.”
He called for stronger government regulation and targeted support to stabilize the transport sector.
“Government regulation and transparent pricing policies can help control fare volatility,” Roland advised. “Subsidies, if properly managed, can reduce the burden on both drivers and passengers, but they must be targeted to those who truly need them.”
The analyst also emphasized the need for long-term investments to make urban transport more affordable and predictable.
“Nigeria must develop efficient public transport systems like rail and modern buses,” he said. “Encouraging alternative energy use and boosting local fuel production will help. Once inflation is controlled and the naira stabilizes, transport costs will naturally become more stable.”
For now, Lagos commuters continue to bear the brunt of unpredictable fares. Whether for a short trip or a long commute to work, the cost of movement remains a heavy burden — another sign of how fuel price volatility and economic pressures are reshaping daily urban life in Nigeria.
