Transport fares from Lagos to the South-Japanese states have begun rising forward of the annual Christmas migration, with operators warning that costs will proceed to extend sharply from December 18 as demand peaks.
A Nairametrics market survey throughout main Lagos parks exhibits present fares starting from N25,500 to N73,500, relying on vacation spot and automobile sort, with projections indicating a 20%–30% improve throughout the peak journey interval.
The South-East—protecting Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia—stays one of many busiest outbound corridors from Lagos throughout the festive season as travellers return house for household visits, social occasions, and cultural ceremonies.
Present fares throughout main parks
A pricing evaluate performed in Jibowu, Mile 2, Iyana Ipaja, and Ikorodu Storage, complemented by on-line checks, exhibits the next fares for 15-seater and 7-seater buses as of December 11, 2025:
Notes:
- Decrease fare ranges are typically provided by smaller transport corporations with out AC or intensive department networks.
- Increased fare ranges are offered by main operators providing AC, bus TV, padded and well-spaced seats, and scheduled departures.
What to anticipate throughout the peak interval
Fares from Lagos to the South-East are anticipated to rise as the height festive interval approaches, usually beginning round December 18. A ticketing clerk at Peace Mass Transit, Ikorodu Storage Terminal, defined that value will increase are gradual, often by N1,000 to N1,500 at a time, till they attain the height vary.
For instance, in December 2024, the common fare for a 15-seater bus from Lagos to the South-Japanese states, which usually charged about N32,000, settled round N41,500, in keeping with the expertise of a ticketing clerk for a transport firm working out of Mile 2.
Based mostly on historic traits and insights from transport operators, fares throughout the peak interval from round December 18 onwards are anticipated to extend by 20% to 30% and would stay at these ranges till the second or third week of January.
For 15-seater buses, the decrease finish of fares may rise to round N30,600, whereas the higher finish may attain N67,600. For 7-seater buses, the decrease finish could possibly be about N55,000, with the higher finish reaching round N93,600 for bigger, extra comfy automobiles the place departures run on schedule. For prime 15-seater corporations, fares are anticipated to vary between N54,000 and N67,600.
Components driving fare will increase
The sharp rise in fares throughout the festive season is pushed primarily by the economics of demand and provide. With many individuals competing for a restricted variety of seats, transport corporations alter costs to stability excessive demand with the out there capability of automobiles, making certain operations stay worthwhile.
Return journeys to Lagos from the South-East typically function below capability throughout this era. A park supervisor of a mid-level transportation firm at Iyana Ipaja informed Nairametrics,
“When buses return from the East, they typically carry only a few passengers. The excessive fares throughout this era assist offset the price of operating practically empty journeys.”
Operators throughout a number of parks confirmed this pattern.
Operational prices additional contribute to fare will increase. The recent climate throughout December accelerates put on and tear on automobiles, notably tyres, which price round N40,000 every for second-hand replacements. A workers member of a transport firm at Ojota who selected to stay nameless mentioned, “We frequently have to exchange a number of tyres in December due to the tough circumstances, and this provides to our bills.”
Gasoline is one other vital issue. A 7-seater bus can’t full a Lagos–South-East journey on a single full tank of 130 litres and should refuel after leaving Lagos. Costs in cities east of Lagos typically exceed N1,000 per litre, in contrast with N880–N900 per litre in Lagos, including to operational prices.
Chibuike Amadi, a supervisor of a Jibowu-based transportation firm with a fleet of 7-seater automobiles, informed Nairametrics, “Refuelling after Lagos is unavoidable, and the upper gasoline costs within the East add to our prices, which is likely one of the elements contributing to larger fares throughout December.”
Options to highway transport to the South-East
Choices past highway journey are restricted. There are at present no rail companies connecting Lagos to the 5 South-Japanese states — Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, and Enugu — leaving air journey as the principle different.
In the meantime, airfares this December have surged by 200% to over 300%, with tickets from Lagos to cities like Enugu, Owerri, and Aba exceeding N350,000. This spike, which happens each festive season, is pushed by late bookings and excessive demand. Airways additionally use a “bucket” pricing system, the place early patrons pay much less whereas costs rise as flights fill.
Structural elements add to prices. With solely 0.02% of the inhabitants flying, Nigerian airways can’t obtain economies of scale. Restricted plane, a weak naira, excessive gasoline prices, and a number of aviation fees additional push fares up.
Given this, highway transport stays essentially the most accessible and sensible choice. Buses and smaller automobiles present reasonably priced, versatile journey with scheduled departures and assorted consolation ranges, making them the spine of inter-state journeys from Lagos to the South-East.
