As Christmas approaches in Nigeria, the festive spirit is overshadowed by economic challenges that have left many families struggling to cope with soaring transport fares and food prices.
The removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, has led to a major increase in petrol prices, which in turn has driven up transportation costs across the country.
This has forced some Nigerians to reconsider their travel plans, opting instead to send money to loved ones rather than making the journey home for the holidays.
The impact of these economic pressures is felt acutely in the South East region, where commuters are facing gridlocks and high fares due to multiple checkpoints and roadblocks set up by security agencies and tax agents.
Mr. David Uzonna, a regular commuter based in Awka, lamented the extortion and delays caused by these roadblocks, noting that an 18-seater bus fare has risen from N3,000 to between N4,000 and N4,500, while a Sienna vehicle trip now costs N7,000, up from N5,000 or N6,000. He urged the South East governors to intervene and reduce the number of checkpoints to facilitate movement and boost economic activities.
Mrs. Ifeoma Agueze, a Europe-based Nigerian who returned to spend Christmas with her family, recounted her arduous 10-hour journey from Abuja to Enugu, exacerbated by numerous checkpoints and poor road conditions. "Traveling in Nigeria either by road or by air is chaotic and frustrating," she said, describing the countless stops by various groups, including soldiers, police, and Road Safety officers, who often demand bribes from drivers.
In Enugu metropolis, transport operators have increased their fares as residents make final preparations for Christmas. A bus fare from Gariki to Ogbete market, which used to cost N400, now ranges between N500 and N600, while tricycle fares have similarly increased.
Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, a bus driver, justified the fare hikes, stating, "Passengers are rushing; so, if you cannot pay, another passenger is ready to pay. It is our time to make little money to celebrate Christmas like others."
The situation is no different on major highways such as the Enugu-Onitsha expressway and Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, where passengers are sometimes asked to disembark and walk past checkpoints before rejoining their vehicles.
Mr. Dominic Nwuda, a commercial driver, revealed that he spends between N3,000 and N5,000 to settle police and soldiers on the road, which necessitates increasing fares to cover these expenses.
Meanwhile, the sharp rise in airfares, driven by operational costs and increased demand, has forced many Nigerians to cancel or modify their travel plans, with road travel becoming a more viable alternative. However, road transport fares remain elevated, adding to the financial strain on holiday travelers. Emeka Uzo, a trader at Jabi Motor Park, noted the impact on his business: "People are no longer traveling as much. Even buses are going half-empty because of the cost of tickets."
In response to the rising costs, the Federal Government introduced initiatives to ease the burden, including a 50 percent rebate on transport fares for return trips and free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus services in Abuja. Free train transportation is also available in the capital for the festive period. Despite these measures, affordability remains a significant challenge for many Nigerians, and the interventions may not make a substantial difference.
Food inflation, currently over 40 percent in Abuja, has contributed to the soaring prices of staple items such as rice, garri, and poultry. A 50-kg bag of rice now costs between ¦94,000 and ¦125,000, a major leap from previous months.
Transportation fares have also skyrocketed, with a trip from Abuja to Lagos by road now ranging between ¦46,500 and ¦60,000, compared to the previous ¦28,000–¦35,000. Airfares have seen a staggering 218 percent increase since June, with one-way tickets on popular routes costing as much as between ¦220,000 and ¦285,000.
Miriam Jagaba, a mother of four shopping at Utako Market in Abuja, expressed her frustration: "Last year, I bought a bag of rice for ¦75,000, but now it’s almost double. It’s heartbreaking." The cost of essential holiday items, such as poultry, has surged, with chickens priced between ¦15,000 and ¦25,000, and turkeys reaching up to ¦130,000 in some markets. Rising feed prices, transportation costs, and supply chain disruptions are driving these increases.
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