NIGERIA: Lagos Adjusts BRT Fares Amid Rising Transport Costs

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 per cent increase in fares across services under the Bus Reform Initiative, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors and standard bus routes operating within the state.

The adjustment, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will take effect from March 2, 2026, following appeals from regulated transport operators over rising operational expenses.

In a statement issued by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the government explained that the fare review became necessary due to sustained economic pressures affecting public transportation operations.

LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, said the measure is intended to stabilise the transport system while maintaining service delivery standards.

The statement noted, adding that the decision aligns with the state’s established annual fare review mechanism. “The adjustment is designed to help offset the severe impact of ongoing economic pressures on public transport providers.”

According to the agency, increasing inflation and rising operating costs, including vehicle maintenance, imported spare parts, and personnel expenses, have significantly strained bus operating companies.

Data referenced by LAMATA shows Nigeria’s headline inflation rate stood at 15.15 per cent in December 2025 and moderated slightly to about 15.1 per cent in January 2026, conditions which continue to increase transportation costs nationwide.

Operators were also reported to be investing heavily in fleet renewal by acquiring newer and more fuel-efficient buses aimed at improving passenger comfort and supporting environmental sustainability goals in Lagos.

The state government reassured commuters that the fare adjustment followed careful consideration of both affordability for passengers and the financial sustainability of transport operators.

Authorities maintained that the Bus Reform Initiative remains central to Lagos’ broader urban mobility strategy, designed to provide safer, reliable, and efficient mass transit op

tions for residents.