Residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, have decried the cost of transport fares despite the reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol.
Some of the residents told the OsunReporters News correspondents over the weekend in Osogbo, that the rising cost of transportation was making life unbearable for many Nigerians.
The disappointed commuters added that instead of a reduction, transport fares were rather increasing despite the reduction in the price of PMS.
OsunReporters News recalls that immediately the fuel subsidy was removed by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023, motorists also increased fares across Nigeria. But in December 2024, February, March and April 2025, the Dangote refinery reduced the ex-depot price of its petrol from N970 to N899.50; N890.80 among others per litre.
This sparked an intense pricing reduction in the downstream sector, forcing the NNPCL to reduce its ex-depot price to N9:40, N899 and N895 among others per litre as well.
Similarly, the Dangote refinery announced its partnership with MRS Petrol station to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre.
However, Osun State residents explained that the constant reduction in the fuel price by both the Dangote refinery and the NNPCL should naturally reduce transport fares across the nation. Unfortunately, rather than go down, the cost of transportation remains stagnant at a higher rate.
While lamenting, a petty trader identified as Mrs. Olu Halimat said the rising cost of transportation is negatively affecting the prices of goods and services, noting that she still pays high transport fares to move her goods from one point to another.
"I am selling puff puff at Orisumbare market, I used to enter two buses from Abidogun Area, Otaefun Osogbo at N1,200 from home and same while going home since the increase in fuel pump.
“With the reduction in fuel price, we expect a reduction in transport fares as well, but nothing has changed.
"I'm pleading to the government and transport union to help us look into it, may God help them."
Also speaking, an applicant, Mr. Adejumo Adekunle Kingsley expressed disappointment in the current government, calling them to ensure price control in the economy.
"N50 reduction in fuel pump price cannot be effective. When the increment happened a lot of people have increased their services too. If you are talking about reduction, will the price of other things that have increased like house rent, salaries, school fees also come down? To be candid, Tinubu's government is inconveniencing us.
"Governance is our problem in Nigeria, if the government can't control the situation, Nigerians should vote them out and look for the right people. We need someone that has the fear of God and conscience to be our President.
"My advice for drivers is that, if there is any why they can help at least to ease the affairs regarding transport fare,“ he lamented.
A civil servant simply identified as Mrs Adeleke who also decried the increasing rate of transport fares, however, blamed Nigerians for selfishness and greediness to make higher profits at the expense of fellow Nigerians.
"Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria. We are just clamouring that the government is bad, whereas the citizens are worse.
"If the fuel price increases; the transport will increase but if there is a reduction in fuel price, our transporters and other traders won't reduce their prices again. Is it supposed to be? Let's ask ourselves."
Adeleke, however, called on the government to ensure commercial drivers do not overcharge commuters, particularly with the current reduction in the pump price of petrol.
Our correspondents also visited some parks within Osogbo to ask some drivers the reason for not listening to the complaints of commuters. However, commercial drivers defended their actions, blaming and pleading the government to salvage the current situation in the country.
Hammed Nurudeen, Chairman Ile-Ife to Osogbo car Unit: "The money that was reduced from petrol is just N50 naira, and the fare from Osogbo to Ile Ife is N2,500. Apart from the slight reduction, other things weren't reduced. So the fare can't be reduced at this time because we pay other expenses like vulcanizers, engine oil among others. The government should reduce the fuel pump to N300 per litre to ease the current suffering."
Abdullateef Adejare, Chairman Assisted Cars at Oju-Irin Park, Old garage Osogbo: "People are talking about fuel prices that were slightly reduced, what about motor parts? The bus tyre we are using has increased from N27,000 to N70,000."
An Okada Rider who did not want his name mentioned also explained: "You are only looking at the reduction in fuel pump price, what we are buying is too costly. Can you imagine that a vulcanizer will charge N300 to pump a tyre, and you expect me to reduce my price? Never!
Abdulazeez Mustapha, Chairman Olaiya/Agunbelewo/Okinni taxi (Korope) park: "We have reduced our fare, it was N400 when the pump price was above N1000 but we've reduced it to N300 naira as we speak. We will continue to reduce it as the fuel price reduces."
At the time of filing this report, OsunReporters News gathered that petrol stations in Osogbo and environs, including the NNPCL outlets, sell fuel between N870 and N900 per litre.
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