By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
By 6:30 a.m, Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja was already overflowing with passengers struggling to secure seats to different parts of the country for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Children clung to bags almost their size. Mothers sat on worn benches fanning themselves against the morning heat, while drivers shouted destinations over the noise of revving engines and impatient commuters.
For many Nigerians, travelling home for Sallah, has become more than a festive tradition.
It is now an exhausting financial and emotional struggle shaped by rising transport fares, poor road infrastructure, insecurity, and the country’s worsening economic realities.
At the centre of the frustration is the soaring cost of interstate transportation, which passengers say has risen sharply compared to previous years.
Transport Fare Has Doubled
Mohammed Abdul, who was travelling from Abuja to Ilorin, said the fare for the journey had nearly doubled compared to what he paid during last year’s Eid celebrations.
“Last year, I spent far less to travel home. This time, the fare increased again because of fuel prices and the festive rush.
People are struggling, but they still want to see their families,” he said.
Several passengers told similar stories.
Travellers heading to states such as Oyo, Kwara, Kaduna, and Kano described spending hours moving from one park to another in search of cheaper transport options, only to discover that most operators had increased prices beyond what many families could afford.
For some Nigerians, the cost of travelling now competes directly with feeding and household expenses.
“I almost cancelled this trip,” said Suraj Mohamed, who was travelling to Oyo State.
“A lot of people cannot afford to travel this year. Some parks are not even full because families are staying back to avoid the cost.”
The frustration reflects the broader economic pressure facing Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy and the steady increase in petrol prices, which continue to affect transportation, food supply, and daily living costs nationwide.
Economic Crisis Shrinks Mobility
Before the recent fuel price increases, many Nigerians travelled more frequently for business, networking, religious obligations, and family visits.
Today, movement itself has become expensive.
Passengers at the park explained that many people now avoid unnecessary travel because transportation consumes a large part of their monthly income.
One traveller Suberu Tijani said. “If the trip is not urgent, many people would simply prefer to stay at home,”
“This affects business opportunities, social activities, and even family relationships.” he maintained
The National Bureau of Statistics recently reported continued inflationary pressure across transportation and food sectors, with transport costs remaining one of the fastest-rising household expenses in the country.
For low-income earners, festive travel has gradually shifted from a cultural expectation to a financial burden.
Drivers Also Feel the Pressure
Commercial drivers are not left out as they insist they are not the only beneficiaries of the fare increases.
At Nyanya Motor Park, a commercial driver Ibrahim Musa said transport operators are equally battling rising operational costs.
“Fuel is expensive. Spare parts are expensive. Engine oil is expensive. Even maintaining vehicles is difficult now,” he explained.
“People think drivers increase fares just to exploit passengers, but many of us are barely surviving after paying for fuel and park charges.”
According to him, festive periods naturally increase transport demand, but economic conditions have made the situation worse this year.
Transport union officials echoed similar concerns
Chairman of the interstate drivers’ union, Comrade Sani Abdullahi, said passengers and operators are suffering under the current economic conditions.
“The transport sector is under serious pressure, we need government intervention through better roads, stable fuel pricing, and stronger transport policies.” He stated
Poor Roads Deepen Travel Stress
Beyond the rising cost of transportation, passengers described Nigerian highways as dangerous, stressful, and increasingly neglected.
Travelers complained about potholes, failed sections of highways, long travel delays, and insecurity along major routes connecting Abuja to different parts of the country.
Some passengers said fear has become part of every long-distance journey. “People are no longer worried only about accidents.”
“Many travellers are afraid of kidnapping and attacks on highways.”
Several commuters specifically mentioned concerns over night travel, saying insecurity has forced many families to begin journeys earlier in the day despite the heavy traffic associated with festive movement.
The poor state of roads also increases transport costs for drivers, who spend more on vehicle maintenance and repairs.
Passengers Accuse Operators of Exploitation
Despite acknowledging the economic pressure on drivers, some passengers accused transport operators of exploiting the festive season.
Suraj Mohamed alleged that some drivers overcrowded vehicles by forcing extra passengers into middle seats to maximise profit.
Others complained about inconsistent fare pricing across parks, with transport costs changing within hours depending on passenger demand.
Respondents believed that the absence of effective fare regulation, leaves commuters vulnerable during festive periods when desperation to travel is high.
Safety Concerns Rise During Festive Movement
Road safety concerns also featured prominently among travellers.
The passengers advised Nigerians to avoid night journeys, remain security conscious, travel light, and keep relatives informed about their movements.
Federal Road Safety Corps has repeatedly warned motorists against speeding, reckless driving, and overloading during festive periods, as road traffic accidents often increase during heavy nationwide travel.
A Tradition Nigerians Refuse to Abandon
Despite the financial hardship, overcrowded parks across Abuja showed that many Nigerians remain determined to reunite with loved ones for the Eid celebrations.
