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After-Holiday Relief as Air, Road Travel Fares Crash Nationwide
Travel costs across Nigeria have dropped significantly following the sharp fare increases recorded during the December festive season, offering much-needed relief to commuters after weeks of unusually high prices.
During the Yuletide peak, one-way domestic flight tickets surged to between ₦400,000 and ₦500,000 on major routes, driven by heightened demand and worsening insecurity on highways, which pushed many travellers to choose air transport despite the cost. Road transport fares also spiked, with Abuja–Lagos bus trips selling for as much as ₦55,000, while Abuja–Enugu routes ranged between ₦30,000 and ₦45,000.
Transport operators at the time blamed the hikes on rising fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs and overwhelming seasonal demand.
However, checks across airports and motor parks now show a broad fare correction. Road travel costs have eased considerably, with Abuja–Lagos tickets dropping to about ₦31,000, Abuja–Enugu to between ₦23,000 and ₦28,000, Abuja–Ibadan to ₦28,000 and Abuja–Port Harcourt to about ₦36,000.
Airfares have recorded even steeper declines. Average one-way tickets from Abuja to Lagos have fallen by roughly 72 per cent—from about ₦450,000 during the festive rush to around ₦125,000. Other routes, including Abuja–Enugu and Abuja–Ilorin, have also seen notable reductions. As of January 10, 2026, one-way Abuja–Lagos flights were priced between ₦122,458 and ₦125,001, while return tickets ranged from ₦237,002 to ₦263,989. Abuja–Enugu fares dropped to as low as ₦93,300 for mid-January travel.
The December surge had drawn national concern, prompting a debate in the Senate on December 10, 2025, when lawmakers raised alarms over domestic airfares that had climbed as high as ₦650,000 on some routes. Aviation authorities maintained that ticket prices were market-driven. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), attributed the high fares to operational constraints such as aircraft shortages, expensive leasing arrangements, lack of local maintenance facilities and heavy dependence on foreign exchange.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) echoed this view, noting that increased competition and aircraft availability could naturally push fares down, though it lacks regulatory powers to control prices.
Airline operators, however, remain divided on affordability. Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, argued that Nigeria still offers some of the cheapest domestic airfares globally when viewed in dollar terms, warning that low pricing has contributed to the collapse of many local airlines over the years.
In contrast, aviation analyst Dr Alex Nwuba, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria (AOPAN), said Nigeria’s fares are relatively expensive when adjusted for income levels and purchasing power parity. He noted that despite lower average wages, Nigerians pay more for domestic flights than travellers in many countries with stronger economies, making air travel less affordable locally.
Across states, similar post-holiday adjustments have been recorded. In Imo State, road fares have moderated, with Owerri–Lagos now around ₦31,000, Owerri–Abuja ₦34,000 and Owerri–Port Harcourt ₦9,000, although airfares to Owerri from Lagos remain relatively high.
In Gombe, government-owned transport services maintained moderate fares, while private operators raised prices sharply during the holidays before easing them afterward. Passengers complained of fare exploitation during peak periods, while drivers cited unsustainable operating costs.
In Enugu and parts of the South-East and South-South, airfares that exceeded ₦350,000 in December reportedly dropped by more than 50 per cent after January 1, 2026. Bus fares also declined as holiday traffic eased.
Similar trends were observed in Cross River State, where airline fares from Calabar fell after Christmas, reflecting lower demand. Road transport fares also dropped, returning to near pre-holiday levels by mid-January.
Transport unions and operators say the seasonal cycle of fare hikes and post-holiday reductions is driven largely by supply and demand. Economists, however, caution that the current relief may be temporary, warning that structural issues—such as high operating costs, weak purchasing power and infrastructure gaps—could trigger fresh fare increases in future peak periods.
For now, the post-holiday correction has eased the financial burden on travellers navigating an already challenging economic environment.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a new round of appointments and promotions with immediate effect, as part of efforts to strengthen governance and enhance institutional performance in the state.
The development was announced in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board. Matawalle, a retired permanent secretary, previously served in a similar role and also held office as the board’s executive secretary. He was described as a seasoned administrator who rose through the civil service ranks from Assistant Secretary to Permanent Secretary before retiring in 2014, after eight years in the position. The statement noted his strong track record in the effective management of Hajj operations.
Governor Yusuf also approved the promotion of Yusuf Mukhtar to the rank of Permanent Secretary.
In another appointment, Barrister Rahama Malam Alhaji was named Provost of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Institute. She was praised as an accomplished legal practitioner with over seven years’ experience spanning litigation, corporate law, electricity law, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. The statement highlighted her professional background across both public and private sectors, including her time at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company and her role as Head of the School of Law at Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria. She holds a Master of Laws degree in International Law and was credited with pioneering initiatives such as the establishment of a Law Clinic and a Student Bar Association.
The governor further approved the promotion of veteran Kannywood actress Aina’u Ade from Special Assistant to Senior Special Assistant on Kannywood Affairs, citing her impressive performance and dedication in her previous assignment.
The statement said the latest appointments and promotions reflect the administration’s resolve to reinforce governance structures and ensure the efficient management of public institutions. Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them through diligence, transparency and unwavering commitment to the Kano First Agenda.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has issued a public alert over a fraudulent LinkedIn account impersonating its Director-General, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, urging Nigerians to disregard and report any communication linked to the fake profile.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Institute’s Media Consultant, Mr Sam Eferaro, NIMR disclosed that the impostor account has been sending misleading messages to unsuspecting individuals, falsely offering procurement opportunities, contracts and other business-related engagements.
According to the statement, the attention of the Institute was drawn to the existence of the fake LinkedIn profile posing as the Director-General, adding that all messages emanating from the account are entirely fraudulent.
NIMR cautioned members of the public against engaging with any messages purportedly sent by Professor Obafunwa through LinkedIn or other unofficial platforms, particularly those soliciting business dealings or financial commitments.
The Institute further emphasised that all legitimate interactions with vendors, contractors, partners and the public are conducted strictly through recognised and official institutional channels, in line with established public service procedures.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has dismissed calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria demanding the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made concerning genocide.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN described the demand as unfounded and unjustifiable, stressing that Prof. Amupitan, like every Nigerian, is constitutionally entitled to express opinions on matters of national interest, regardless of his public office.
The Fellowship maintained that the remarks attributed to the INEC chairman had no link to his official duties, noting that they were unrelated to elections or electoral processes, which fall within the scope of his professional responsibilities.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a citizen of Nigeria, has the right to speak on issues he perceives as affecting the nation, irrespective of his appointment or position,” the statement said.
PFN further condemned suggestions that the INEC chairman should be removed on the basis of personal views expressed outside his official mandate, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent where public officials are penalised for holding or expressing independent opinions.
The organisation also cautioned against interpreting national discourse through religious perspectives, arguing that such an approach risks deepening societal divisions and threatening peaceful coexistence.
“We must guard against profiling individuals or judging them based on religious considerations. Prof. Amupitan has the right to express his views, and this should not come at the expense of his office,” the statement added.
The Fellowship urged stakeholders to exercise restraint and mutual respect in addressing sensitive national issues, emphasising that unity, fairness, and peaceful engagement must remain central to public discourse.
PFN reaffirmed its commitment to justice and national cohesion, calling on Nigerians to uphold democratic values in responding to differing opinions on matters affecting the country.