Calabar Residents Face Higher Transport Costs as Fuel Prices Rise

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Commuters in Calabar, Cross River State, are grappling with a sharp rise in transport fares after petrol prices climbed from ₦950 to ₦1,150 per litre, forcing operators to increase charges by roughly 50 per cent. The adjustments, reported on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, have left many travellers stranded or paying significantly more for daily commutes.

Transport unions cited soaring fuel and operational costs as the main drivers of the fare hikes, warning that continued volatility could lead to further increases. Motorists expressed frustration at the sudden surge, noting that even short trips now strain household budgets.

Economic analysts caution that such fare spikes may inflate living costs across the city, affecting goods and services, and reflect broader challenges in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, where price fluctuations directly impact ordinary citizens.