By Aaior K. Comfort

The average domestic airfare in Nigeria surged by 25.5% in August 2024, reaching N123,700, up from N98,561 in July 2024. This data comes from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) ‘Transport Fare Watch’ report for August 2024, released yesterday.

Niger State recorded the highest average airfare at N129,575, closely followed by Abuja at N129,442. In contrast, Zamfara had the lowest average airfare at N102,665, with Cross River next at N120,088.

The NBS report stated, “In air travel, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey was N123,700.14 in August 2024, showing an increase of 25.51% compared to the previous month. On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 56.56% from N79,011.38 in August 2023.”

Additionally, the cost of bus journeys intercity per drop increased slightly by 0.59% month-on-month to N7,159 in August 2024, from N7,117 in July. Anambra had the highest intercity bus fare at N9,580, while Kwara recorded the lowest at N5,574.

Motorcycle transport fares, commonly referred to as “Okada” rides, also saw an 8.46% rise in August, averaging N524 per drop, up from N483 in July. Lagos recorded the highest average fare at N909, followed by Ondo at N761. Bayelsa and Anambra had the lowest rates at N312 and N317, respectively.

Water transport fares increased by 3.3% to N1,449 in August, compared to N1,403 in July. Bayelsa had the highest water transport fare at N4,563, followed by Delta at N4,261. The lowest was recorded in Borno at N475.

Conversely, the cost of bus journeys within cities dropped by 7.7% month-on-month, decreasing to N869 in August from N943 in July. Zamfara recorded the highest city bus fare at N1,155, while Adamawa had the lowest at N455.

These fluctuations in transport fares highlight the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s transportation sector amid economic pressures and rising inflation.