Every December, Nigeria’s transportation system changes in various ways, from crowded bus parks and surging fares to the rush to return home in cars or buses taking over roads and highways.
The festive season reshapes how millions move, as people view the period as a time to bond with family and friends whom they’ve been away from for some time due to several reasons, including job, education, and others.
Nigerians have a culture that is evident during this period, from festivals to concerts and other outdoor activities, as well as travel trends. In no particular order, here are 10 common transport trends Nigerians see every December.
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Traffic congestion
Commuters experience severe traffic congestion during this period as the demand from social events and long-haul travel overwhelms road networks.
For air travel, returnees from abroad, late-ticket buyers, and holidaymakers often overload major airports, sometimes causing flight delays and long security checks.
High fares
Transport operators increase fares as more people travel, especially on routes with poor road conditions or heavy traffic.
The surge in demand often results in higher transportation costs, with fares for flights, buses, and water transport seeing significant increases compared to other months.
Long-distance travel
December is a key period for inter-city and long-distance travel as many Nigerians journey to their hometowns to visit family and celebrate the holidays.
Major highways, including the Lagos-Benin, Onitsha-Owerri, and Abuja-Kaduna, experience heavy traffic as families return to their hometowns.
Increased checkpoints
In December, the high volume of vehicles on the roads creates more opportunities for security agencies to set up additional checkpoints on the roads, slowing movement on highways.
Nigerians notice more safety stops on the roads in December, which slows traffic but aims to make travel safer during the holiday rush.
High social travel
Most people travel during this period for various festivals, concerts, weddings, and parties.
Traditions like the Detty December see a massive influx of people traveling both within cities and between different states, amplified by the return of the diaspora (IJGB).
Increased demand
Everything related to travel, buses, taxis, airports, and even traffic management, is busier than usual because many people are travelling for the holidays
Transport operators see increased demand on all means of moving people and goods from one place to another in this season due to the holiday rush.
