Nigerians spend more time on the road than anyone else in the world- Bolt report

Nigerians spend more time commuting than anyone else in the world. This is according to the result of an international survey examining how commuting impacts everyday life and mental well-being. The study, sanctioned by e-hailing company, Bolt, was conducted across 10 countries with over 3,300 respondents.

Per the results, 83.4 per cent of the Nigerian respondents said they commute either daily or at least four to six times in a week. This is higher than Poland, where 83 per cent of respondents admitted to the same commute rate, and Czech Republic where 82.4 per cent of respondents admitted to commuting at least four to six days a week.

Overall, at least 75 per cent of total respondents in all countries surveyed reported commuting either daily or four to six times a week, buttressing the fact that commuting is a daily reality for most people.

Nigeria also ranks highly for people who spend at least an hour on the road, with 52 per cent of Nigerian respondents admitting they commute for at least an hour. Nigeria is only topped by Romania in this category, where 58 per cent of respondents admit to commuting for at least one hour. However, Nigeria takes the cake as a significant portion of respondents also reported commuting for over two hours each day.

Overall, nearly half of all respondents said their daily commute takes at least an hour. In Nigeria nd elsewhere, nearly 50 per cent of respondents said they travel more than 20 kilometres every day.

Traffic, reckless drivers are responsible for transport stress

Per the report, private cars are the most popular primary mode of commuting, as an average of 43 per cent of respondents across all 10 countries surveyed chose this means. The next popular mode of transportation is public transport, with 38% admitting to it.

While this might be so overall, it is important to note that in Nigeria, over 72 per cent of commuters rely on public transport for their daily commutes and transport needs according to a Traffic Report and Citizen Feedback on the New Rail Transit System (2023). It’s quite probable that those numbers haven’t changed much since then.

While commuting is supposed to provide some ease for commuters, it appears that that more people are getting more stressed with commuting as between 35–40 per cent of car commuters say they feel stress while commuting. A majority of respondents, however, report that commuting by car reduces their stress levels.

While car owners may be enjoying their commute, the story is vastly different for public transport users as the report suggests that commuting-related stress may stem from external factors such as traffic, reckless drivers, or parking. Car ownership and control over travel, on the other hand, may bring a sense of security and relief.

It is no surprise, therefore, that the survey confirms that commuting affects the mental health of some users with 20–30 per cent of respondents overall admittng that commuting always or often negatively impacts their mental health. Another 35 per cent said it sometimes affects their mental health.

Moving forward, the respondents overwhelmingly agreed that reduced traffic congestion would significantly ease stress. Other helpful changes cited include shorter commute times, active transport options, better work-from-home flexibility, and switching to public transport. 

On the other end of the spectrum, modes that involve physical activity and autonomy — such as cycling, walking, and shared scooters — consistently ranked highest in satisfaction and lowest in mental health strain. Respondents who walk or cycle report the least stress and widely agree that these modes improve their well-being.

Speaking about the survey, Bolt said the findings underscore the importance of active and micromobility options, reinforcing the need to make them more accessible and appealing through urban planning. They also point to the need for improved public infrastructure to support active commuting, greater availability of remote work options, and a shift toward flexible, hybrid commuting models that combine private vehicles with active and shared mobility solutions.

“With commuting deeply embedded in everyday life, reimagining how we move through our cities could have a profound impact on mental well-being, productivity, and quality of life,” the mobility company said..

See also: Mobile gender gap: Only 39% of Nigerian women own a smartphone