Air travel became more expensive across Nigeria in May 2026, with the average cost of a one way flight rising by 20.86 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Transport Fare Watch report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Data obtained by Zoyols News showed that the average fare paid by passengers on selected domestic routes climbed to N157,552.19 in May 2026, up from N130,361.85 recorded in May 2025. On a month to month basis, ticket prices also rose slightly by 0.12 percent compared with April 2026.
Among the states, Kano recorded the highest average airfare at N184,139.29, while Lagos followed with N176,971.65.
At the other end of the scale, Gombe posted the lowest average airfare at N135,800.61, followed by Nasarawa with N138,999.14.
The report also showed that transport costs continued to rise across other categories.
The average fare for bus trips within cities increased by 2.43 percent from N1,397.27 in April to N1,431.25 in May. Compared with the same month last year, commuters paid 38.63 percent more than the N1,032.46 recorded in May 2025.
Intercity bus fares also recorded an increase during the period. The average fare rose to N9,699.55 in May from N9,607.41 in April, representing a monthly increase of 0.96 percent.
Year on year, intercity transport costs climbed by 21.89 percent from N7,957.41 in May 2025.
Motorcycle transport, popularly known as Okada, also became more expensive. The average fare increased to N1,072.51 in May, representing a 3.56 percent rise from the N1,035.69 recorded in April.
Compared with May 2025, commuters paid 52.45 percent more for motorcycle transport, with fares rising from N703.54 to N1,072.51.
Water transportation also witnessed an upward movement. The average passenger fare increased to N2,276.48 in May, representing a monthly increase of 2.41 percent. On a yearly basis, water transport costs rose by 30.88 percent from N1,739.32 recorded in May last year.
The state by state breakdown revealed significant differences in transport costs across the country.
Ondo recorded the highest average intercity bus fare at N11,080, closely followed by Abia at N11,066.13. Kwara had the lowest average fare at N7,969.29, while Edo followed with N8,000.61.
For bus services within cities, Zamfara topped the list with an average fare of N1,878.80. Taraba ranked next at N1,771.96, while Abia and Adamawa recorded the lowest fares at N890.05 and N918.47 respectively.
Motorcycle transport was most expensive in Kaduna, where commuters paid an average of N1,720.76. Lagos followed at N1,660. Adamawa recorded the cheapest average fare at N761.32, while Akwa Ibom followed with N778.06.
Water transport costs were highest in Rivers State, where passengers paid an average of N6,893.55. Bayelsa ranked second with N5,600.02.
The least expensive water transport fares were recorded in Borno at N1,010.50 and the Federal Capital Territory at N1,128.68.
Regional analysis also highlighted noticeable differences in transport costs across the country.
For city bus transport, the South West recorded the highest average fare at N1,564.31, followed by the North Central at N1,460.14. The South East posted the lowest average fare at N1,334.36.
The South West also led in intercity bus fares with an average of N10,138.80, while the North West followed closely at N10,083.57. The South South recorded the lowest average intercity fare at N9,266.49.
For air travel, the South South emerged as the region with the highest average airfare at N163,508.93, followed by the North West at N160,760.35. The North East recorded the lowest regional average at N152,170.30.
Motorcycle transport was most expensive in the South West, where commuters paid an average of N1,184.15. The South East followed at N1,111.58, while the North Central recorded the lowest average fare at N998.38.
Water transport was also costliest in the South South, where the average fare stood at N5,112.51. The South West followed with N2,279.69, while the North East recorded the lowest average fare at N1,411.60.
