Sanwo-Olu Approves 13% BRT Fare Hike Starting March 2 to Save Lagos Transport from Economic Collapse

Lagos commuters have exactly one week to prepare their Cowry cards for a higher charge. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially greenlit a 13% fare increase across all Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and standard bus routes, with the new rates scheduled to kick in on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The decision, announced on Monday by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), comes after months of “passionate appeals” from transport operators who claimed they were driving toward a financial dead-end. With Nigeria’s inflation rate stubbornly hovering above 15% and the cost of imported spare parts sky-rocketing, the government argued that a “State of Harmony” in the transport sector could only be maintained by adjusting fares to match the current economic reality.

“The urgency of this review is underscored by persistent inflationary trends,” said Kolawole Ojelabi, LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication. “Our bus operating companies are grappling with sharply rising expenses, from vehicle maintenance to the higher wage bills brought on by the new national minimum wage. To keep the buses running safely and reliably, this adjustment became unavoidable.”

While the news may be a bitter pill for residents already feeling the pinch, the state government insists the move isn’t just about survival. Operators are reportedly using the additional revenue to procure newer, “greener,” and more fuel-efficient buses. The goal, according to officials, is to phase out aging vehicles and ensure that the “Center of Excellence” maintains a transit system that is as comfortable as it is sustainable.

As the March 2 deadline approaches, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to balancing affordability with service quality. However, for the millions of Lagosians who rely on the blue and red buses daily, the focus remains on how this latest hike will impact their monthly budgets in an already expensive 2026.