Commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as keke, have raised fares on several routes across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following a rise in petrol prices to between N1,410 and N1,450 per litre in parts of Abuja.
Checks by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, September 20, 2026, showed that the fare from Gudu to Lokogoma Junction increased from N200 to N300, while the fare from Kabusa Junction to Apo Roundabout rose from N300 to N400.
NAN also reported that the fare from Dutse Express to Tipper Garage Junction increased from N400 to N500, while the Dutse Express-Sokale Roundabout route rose from N300 to N400.
In Nyanya, the fare from Nyanya Junction to City College is now N500, while passengers travelling from Kubwa Village Junction to Byazim now pay N400. In Lugbe, the fare from Chika Bridge doubled from N100 to N200, according to NAN.
The increases came after Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised its petrol gantry price from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre, effective Saturday, September 12, 2026. PUNCH reported on September 12 that the N85 increase was the refinery’s fourth upward adjustment since August 21, taking its total increase over the period to N185, or 15.9%.
Petrol prices subsequently rose at filling stations across Abuja. THISDAY reported on September 17 that petrol was selling for N1,450 per litre at some stations along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, while outlets on Airport Road sold between N1,415 and N1,430.
NAN reported on September 17 that MRS was selling petrol at N1,395 per litre, while Salbas and A.Y. Shafa sold at N1,430, Energy Empire at N1,445 and Afdin at N1,450 in different parts of the FCT.
Tricycle operators told NAN on September 20 that rising petrol prices were being compounded by higher maintenance and spare-parts costs. Saidu Mohamed, an operator in Kubwa, cited the combined increase in operating expenses, while Haruna Abdullahi, an operator in Dutse, said he was buying petrol at N1,430 per litre.
Ibrahim Dauda, a tricycle operator in Kabusa, also told NAN that he bought petrol at N1,430 per litre from an A.Y. Shafa filling station.
Commuters told NAN that the higher fares were putting additional pressure on their daily budgets. Daniel Aaron, a commuter in Kubwa, said the increase was making it difficult for people to move around and earn a living, while Tony Akinbode said higher transport costs were affecting his ability to provide for his family.
Jimoh Bashir, another Kubwa commuter, said the new fares were introduced with little notice, while Florence Peters, a commuter in Apo, called for more affordable and accessible public transportation.
The latest fare increases came a day after the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said on Saturday, September 19, 2026, that it does not fix petrol pump prices under Nigeria’s deregulated petroleum market. The regulator said it would intensify surveillance against price-gouging, collusion, under-dispensing and other exploitative practices.
The latest adjustments add to the transportation costs facing FCT residents as petrol prices remain above N1,400 per litre at several filling stations.
