Sanwo-Olu approves 13% BRT fare increase in Lagos
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, has approved a 13 per cent increase in fares across services under the Bus Reform Initiative, including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and standard bus routes statewide.
The approval follows a series of appeals from regulated public transport operators, who cited mounting challenges threatening the long-term viability of their operations amid Nigeria’s current economic climate.
Head of Corporate Communication at the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi, announced the decision in a statement, noting that the revised fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.
“The adjustment is designed to help offset the severe impact of ongoing economic pressures on public transport providers.
It also aligns with the state’s previously established annual fare review mechanism, with urgency driven by persistent inflationary trends,” the statement read.
LAMATA cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing Nigeria’s headline inflation rate stood at 15.15 per cent in December 2025, with only slight moderation to about 15.1 per cent in January 2026 — levels that continue to exert heavy pressure on operating costs.
The agency noted that bus operating companies have been grappling with sharply rising expenses, including vehicle maintenance and repairs, imported spare parts, and staff salaries, particularly following the rollout of the new national minimum wage.
It added that operators are investing heavily in fleet renewal, procuring newer, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses to improve passenger comfort, maintain high service standards, and advance environmental sustainability goals in Lagos.
The state government reassured commuters that the decision reflects a careful effort to balance affordability with operational sustainability.
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