Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have raised concerns over rising transport fares following the recent increase in petrol prices across the country.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), petrol previously sold between N835 and N875 per litre in the FCT is now priced between N1,200 and N1,350.

The increase has prompted commercial vehicle operators to raise transport fares by roughly 100 per cent.

Commuters told NAN that fares have been adjusted almost immediately following the fuel price hike, raising fears of further cost-of-living pressures.

Mrs. Ngozi Okeke, a civil servant in Garki, said the fare from Nyanya to the city centre rose sharply within days of the petrol price adjustment.

“Last week, I paid N800 to work, but today it was N1,000. It may seem small, but over a week, it adds up,” she explained.

Theresa Godspower said she now pays N700 from Nyanya to the Federal Secretariat, up from the previous N500.

Similarly, Mr. Musa Abdullahi reported paying N1,200 from Masaka to the city centre, compared with N700 before.

Mr. Godwin Ameh added that fares from Lugbe to Wuse have risen from N800 to N1,000, with some drivers charging as much as N1,200. Public servant Mr. Amos Badifu noted that transport fare hikes often lead to higher food prices.

“Whenever fuel prices go up, transporters increase fares, and traders raise the cost of food items to cover transport expenses,” he said. He added that fares from Kuje to Berger have increased from N1,300 to N1,500, with motorcycle fares also on the rise.

A taxi driver, Mr. John Eze, said operators had little choice but to raise fares to avoid losses.

“Yesterday, I bought fuel at N1,250 per litre, and today it is N1,350. We have to adjust fares or we will run at a loss,” he explained.

NAN also observed fewer vehicles on some major roads as vehicle owners adjust to the higher fuel costs.

Economist Dr. Ibrahim Sule warned that fuel price increases often ripple across the economy, affecting transportation and food supply.

“Transportation is a major component of the cost of goods, especially food transported from rural areas to urban markets. When fuel prices rise, transport costs go up, and traders pass the additional costs to consumers. This is why people fear food inflation may follow,” he said.

Dr. Sule recommended that the government strengthen social protection measures and invest in mass transit systems to ease the impact on residents.

He also suggested that developing alternative transport options could help reduce Nigeria’s heavy dependence on petrol-powered mobility.