Water Transport Fare Hits N2,222.99 in April 2026, NBS Reports
By Aboki Forex —
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that the average fare for waterway passenger transportation in Nigeria rose to N2,222.99 in April 2026. This represents a 1.34% increase compared to March 2026. On a year-on-year basis, the fare dropped by 30.85% from N1,698.91 recorded in April 2025.
The report shows that water transport costs were highest in riverine and coastal areas. The South-South region recorded the highest average fare, followed by the South-West. The North-East had the lowest fare.
Rivers State had the highest average fare at N6,777.45. Bayelsa followed with N5,468.85, Delta with N4,985.55, Cross River with N4,905.73, and Edo with N4,460.68. Akwa Ibom recorded N3,532.62, while Lagos came in at N2,950.87. Ogun had N2,850.74, Ondo N2,400.04, and Kogi N2,255.50.
At the lower end, Borno State recorded the cheapest fare at N980.88. Abuja had N1,125.29, Anambra N1,160.91, Taraba N1,200.76, Abia N1,280.09, Gombe N1,280.46, Kaduna N1,355.56, Kano N1,405.88, Katsina N1,438.17, and Bauchi N1,450.96.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on state governors to invest in water transportation. He made the appeal on Tuesday while appearing before a joint committee of the House of Representatives on marine transport. Oyetola stated that the Federal Government has procured and distributed boats to some states. He urged sub-national governments to take responsibility for managing these assets.
“The federal government cannot solely handle the issue. We are calling on the sub nationals to please invest heavily in our water transportation,” Oyetola said. He added that water transport could become a more affordable option for Nigerians if properly managed.
In related data, the NBS also reported that the average fare for motorcycle (Okada) transport stood at N1,035.69 in April 2026. That figure rose by 3.12% from March 2026 and by 56.20% year-on-year from N663.06 in April 2025.