Fuel Price Hike Sparks Transport Fare Fears as Lagos Commuters Brace for More Hardship
Lagos residents are bracing for a possible increase in transportation fares as petrol prices climbed across several filling stations in the metropolis, with commercial drivers warning that rising fuel costs are putting their businesses under severe pressure.
The development has triggered anxiety among commuters ahead of the resumption of work on Monday, as residents fear that any increase in transport fares could further worsen the cost-of-living crisis.
A commercial tricycle operator, Luke, popularly known as Keke, said he bought petrol at ₦1,350 per litre and warned that drivers would have little choice but to increase fares if the trend continues.
“I bought fuel at ₦1,350 per litre. Some are selling higher. This is affecting our business. By the time you finish work in the day, you will not make any gain,” he lamented.
Luke said passengers were already resisting fare increases, but maintained that drivers could not continue to operate at a loss.
“Passengers would want you not to increase transport fare, but that is not possible because of the increase in fuel. Definitely, by tomorrow, transportation cost will increase,” he added.
His concerns were echoed by other commercial drivers and commuters across parts of Lagos, particularly Igando, Egbeda and Iyana-Iba, where residents reported higher petrol prices at several filling stations.
A commuter, Tope, who boarded a tricycle from Igando to Ikotun, expressed frustration over the continued increase in petrol prices despite Nigeria being an oil-producing country.
“I don’t know why we keep paying higher for petroleum when we are an oil-producing nation,” she lamented.
Tope warned that rising fuel prices would eventually push up the cost of food and other essential commodities, putting additional pressure on already struggling households.
“Before you know it, there will be an increase in everyday goods. People are suffering too much in this country. It’s painful that even as we are heading towards an election, this is happening. Things should actually be cheaper now, but the reverse is the case,” she said.
Despite the fuel price increase, transportation fares on some routes in Igando had remained unchanged as of Sunday. Keke operators were still charging ₦300 from Igando Market to Odo and ₦300 from Igando to Ikotun.
However, commuters reported sharp increases on some longer routes. A trip from Igando to Iyana Oba was around ₦600, while the return journey reportedly cost as much as ₦1,000, compared with the previous fare of about ₦400 to ₦500.
Similarly, the fare from Igando to Iyana Ipaja, which previously stood at about ₦600, had risen to ₦800 or more.
A survey of petrol prices across parts of Lagos on Sunday, September 13, 2026, showed significant variations among filling stations.
NNPCL stations were selling at about ₦1,299 per litre, while MRS in Alapere sold at ₦1,395 and Mobil in Alapere at ₦1,385. Conoil in Ojota was selling at about ₦1,330 per litre.
Prices at several other filling stations ranged between ₦1,290 and ₦1,310 per litre.
The latest price movement followed reports that Dangote Refinery increased its gantry price to about ₦1,350 per litre, effective September 12, 2026, prompting concerns over further adjustments by filling stations.
Industry figures also put the estimated landing cost of petrol at about ₦1,311.36 per litre, while international crude oil prices remained elevated, with Brent crude trading at approximately 98.74 dollars per barrel.
The development has heightened fears among Lagos commuters that transport fares could rise sharply when commercial activity resumes on Monday, adding to the financial burden on workers and businesses.
Meanwhile, reports from Abuja indicate that transportation fares in parts of the Federal Capital Territory have risen by between 200 and 300 percent following the reported increase in petrol prices to as much as ₦1,400 per litre in some locations.
For millions of Nigerians who depend on public transportation to get to work and conduct their daily activities, the latest fuel price increase has renewed concerns about the ripple effect on household expenses and the wider cost of living.
