Abia State Emerges as Nigeria’s Most Affordable Intra-City Transport Destination, Significantly Outperforming All 36 States and FCT

Abia State has been ranked as the most affordable state for intra-city bus transportation in Nigeria based on recent comparative fare data for September 2025, placing the state firmly at the bottom of the national price chart with an average fare of just ₦542.44 per trip. This positions Abia far ahead of all other 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory in terms of transport cost-friendliness.

The transport pricing chart, which captures average fares per bus ride across the country, places Lagos at the highest with ₦1,399.51, followed by Nasarawa (₦1,326.25), Ondo (₦1,284.13), Enugu (₦1,280.92), and Taraba (₦1,275.90). Other states recorded fares ranging between ₦1,274.39 and ₦611.36, with Abia notably offering the lowest at ₦542.44, a margin that reflects more than 50% difference compared to states at the top of the list.

The rankings further show that several states, including Imo (₦1,164.22), Anambra (₦1,085.50), Delta (₦1,068.82), Ebonyi (₦965.71), and Rivers (₦813.35), fall far above Abia, despite being within the southern region where transportation has historically been relatively costly.

With rising inflation, fuel cost fluctuations, economic uncertainties, and increased urban mobility demands nationwide, Abia’s position suggests a notable level of cost moderation and localized economic ease, especially for low-income earners, students, and daily commuters.

The development is being widely linked to the reform-driven leadership and socio-economic blueprint of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, whose administration has continued to prioritize people-oriented governance, cost reduction in key public-service sectors, market liberalization, road infrastructure rehabilitation, security enhancement, and improved transport system efficiency. His vision of building a functional, humane, and economically stable Abia appears to be yielding tangible dividends across different livelihood indices, including transportation.

As transportation remains a vital factor in productivity, commerce, job accessibility, and general urban welfare, Abia’s ranking could have a ripple effect on cost of living, business survival, and residents’ quality of life, especially at a time when many Nigerians continue to grapple with economic pressures.

If sustained, experts say Abia may be on track to becoming one of the most commuter-friendly and economically supportive states for everyday urban movement in the country.

Average fare paid per intra-city bus trip across Nigerian states (Sep 2025):

1. Lagos: N1,399.51

2. ⁠Nasarawa: N1,326.25

3. ⁠Ondo: N1,284.13

4. ⁠Enugu: N1,280.92

5. ⁠Taraba: N1,275.90

6. ⁠Kwara: N1,274.39

7. ⁠Zamfara: N1,254.90

8. ⁠Bauchi: N1,237.58

9. ⁠Kaduna: N1,218.26

10. ⁠Gombe: N1,196.20

11. ⁠Ogun: N1,168.71

12. ⁠Imo: N1,164.22

13. ⁠Jigawa: N1,147.42

14. ⁠Edo: N1,101.46

15. ⁠Ekiti: N1,090.84

16. ⁠Anambra: N1,085.50

17. ⁠Delta: N1,068.82

18. ⁠Niger: N1,066.72

19. ⁠Akwa Ibom: N1,052.35

20. ⁠Benue: N1,026.74

21. ⁠Oyo: N998.33

22. ⁠Bayelsa: N995.64

23. ⁠Katsina: N990.89

24. ⁠Kogi: N978.86

25. ⁠Abuja: N972.65

26. ⁠Ebonyi: N965.71

27. ⁠Borno: N961.88

28. ⁠Cross River: N960.19

29. ⁠Plateau: N952.63

30. ⁠Yobe: N951.81

31. ⁠Kebbi: N900.82

32. ⁠Osun: N895.71

33. ⁠Sokoto: N889.63

34. ⁠Rivers: N813.35

35. ⁠Kano: N716.63

36. ⁠Adamawa: N611.36

37. ⁠Abia: N542.44