From Fuel Crisis to Mobility Transformation

Across many parts of the world, rising fuel prices are placing increasing pressure on transport systems, exposing structural vulnerabilities in how mobility is organised, delivered, and experienced. In recent years, global disruptions—including geopolitical tensions, supply chain instability, and energy market volatility—have translated into higher transportation costs, with cascading effects on livelihoods, food systems, and economic participation.

Nigeria presents a particularly acute case of this broader challenge. Rapid increases in fuel prices have led to significant rises in transport fares, constraining access to work, education, and healthcare. However, the implications extend beyond affordability. The current situation reveals a deeper mobility crisis in which transport systems are increasingly unable to guarantee equitable access, particularly for vulnerable populations.

This policy brief argues that such challenges are not unique to Nigeria. Many low- and middle-income countries, as well as underserved regions within advanced economies, face similar structural conditions characterised by fuel dependency, fragmented service delivery, and reliance on informal transport systems. As such, Nigeria offers a critical lens through which to understand emerging global mobility risks.

Drawing on a Transformative Transport Services (TTS) perspective, this brief reframes transport as a foundational social service that underpins well-being and inclusion. It proposes a shift from fuel-centred policy responses towards a mobility-focused framework that prioritises accessibility, resilience, and system-wide coordination. The recommendations outlined here provide not only a pathway for Nigeria but also transferable insights for other fuel-dependent transport systems globally.