As Christmas draws closer, Nigeria’s highways are once again filling with determined travellers—this time at a steep financial and emotional cost.
Despite persistent fears of kidnapping and worsening insecurity on major inter-state roads, thousands of Nigerians travelling for the Yuletide, particularly to the South-East and South-South, are rushing to secure road transport tickets—many at prices far higher than those paid just a year ago.
Findings over the past week show near-capacity bookings across major transport companies, even as fares climb to what many travellers describe as unprecedented levels. The surge comes amid heightened security concerns and a fragile economy that has pushed the cost of mobility beyond the reach of many households.
Last Yuletide season, fares for 15-seater buses averaged about ₦32,000 before the festivities, rising to roughly ₦41,500 at peak travel periods in December 2024. This year, however, ticket prices have surged dramatically, in some cases nearly doubling.
A review of booking platforms for several transport operators revealed what appeared to be an astronomical rise in fares. Trips from Lagos to Enugu, Onitsha, Asaba, and other major destinations in the South-East and South-South now range between ₦58,000 and ₦73,000 for 15-seater buses, depending on distance.
Yet, despite the steep costs, travellers continue to book days—sometimes weeks—ahead of Christmas.
Checks on Saturday showed that on the GUO Transport website, only one seat remained on the second 15-seater bus scheduled to depart Lagos for Onitsha on Tuesday, with all seats on the first bus already sold out. The fare for the route stood at ₦70,000 per passenger.
Similarly, only two seats were left on a Sienna bus operating the same Lagos–Onitsha route, despite a higher ticket price of ₦85,500.
The story was the same for travellers heading to Owerri. All seats on the first bus had been taken, while just one seat remained on the second bus. Tickets for the Sienna bus on the route, priced at ₦95,000 per passenger, were completely sold out.
Buses bound for Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, were also nearing full capacity. As of Monday, only six seats remained on each 15-seater bus, with fares selling at ₦73,000 per head. For Benin, Edo State, tickets were priced at ₦61,000, with limited availability.
On the Lagos–Asaba route from Iyana Ipaja, only one seat was available on the second bus scheduled to depart on Sunday, at ₦70,000. Likewise, just five seats remained on the first bus heading to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Monday, with tickets costing ₦73,000 each.
The same trend was observed on the Lagos–Aba route, where as of Friday, only five seats remained on the first 15-seater bus scheduled for Saturday, also priced at ₦73,000. Meanwhile, a 15-seater bus scheduled to leave Ajah, Lagos, for Nnewi six days later was already fully booked at ₦64,000 per ticket.
Similar booking patterns were recorded on the God Is Good Motors platform. As of last Friday, more than 80 per cent of seats on an Owerri-bound bus scheduled for the following day had been sold at ₦50,000 per passenger. Only two seats remained on the Asaba-bound buses from Iyana Ipaja, priced at ₦37,250 per ticket.
The findings suggest that, despite escalating fares and lingering fears over road safety, many Nigerians remain resolute in their determination to return home for the festive season.
For many South-Easterners, Yuletide travel is not merely a journey—it is a cultural obligation.
An Igbo trader who sells motor spare parts in Mushin, Lagos, said travelling home for Christmas remains non-negotiable.
“We have to go home before Christmas, no matter the cost. This is when we reunite with our families, attend village meetings, and mark important events like funerals and celebrations. Nothing can stop us,” he said.
Another trader, who identified himself simply as Okafor, echoed the sentiment but appealed to transport companies to match the rising fares with improved safety measures.
“Going home in December is an important ritual for us. But with these prices, transport companies must ensure better security for passengers,” he said.
As the Yuletide approaches, the annual homeward migration continues, powered by faith, tradition, and an enduring belief that some journeys are worth any price.