By Sylvia Johnson, LagosMove Senior Editor
Last updated: 3 November 2026
Short answer: We found no report that Kwara Express passenger services have restarted. The state government closed the operator temporarily in November 2024 and moved to scrap its parent company, Harmony Holdings, in June 2025. If you are leaving Ilorin, your main choices are certified private motor parks, the state’s new CNG buses and flights.
Key takeaways
- Kwara Express, run by Harmony Transport Services Ltd, was temporarily closed in November 2024 for restructuring.
- In June 2025, the state scrapped Harmony Holdings, citing years of losses at its subsidiaries, including Harmony Transport.
- In July 2025, the House of Assembly approved transferring Harmony Holdings’ properties to the state government.
- In October 2026, the Transport Commissioner said 20 federally supplied CNG buses had started running from Ilorin motor parks.
- We found no reliable 2026 Kwara Express fare. Don’t trust old fares, phone numbers or booking pages.
What happened to Kwara Express?
Kwara Express was the trading name of Harmony Transport Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Harmony Holdings, which managed the state’s business interests.
November 2024. The state announced a temporary closure to overhaul the company. The statement promised a modernised fleet and said staff would receive exit benefits and could reapply. It also admitted that the company had faced long-standing problems and had closed several times before.
June 2025. The State Executive Council moved to scrap Harmony Holdings. Finance Commissioner Hauwa Nuru said its subsidiaries had kept recording losses despite bailouts and loans, and public properties were returned to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated. Voice of Nigeria also reported the decision, and the proposal then went to the House of Assembly.
July 2025. On 8 July, the House of Assembly approved the transfer of Harmony Holdings’ interests and properties to the state government, Diamond FM reported. Lawmakers asked the governor to direct the Ministry of Justice to prepare the legal papers.
What this means for travellers: We found no plan to bring Kwara Express back under its old name, and no report of services resuming. Be careful with any “Kwara Express” booking offer until the state confirms a return.
Are the Kwara CNG buses the new Kwara Express?
No, based on the sources we found. The CNG buses are a separate federal-backed scheme run with the state.
In October 2026, the Commissioner for Transport, Aliyu Sabi, said the 20 buses were operating from various motor parks on routes including Ilorin–Abuja, Ilorin–Lagos and Ilorin–Enugu, and that 10 more were expected. Legit.ng’s roundup of state CNG schemes notes that cheaper rides remain limited to selected routes.
We found no published fare chart or official online booking channel for these buses. Confirm the fare, departure park and departure time in person before you pay.
Ilorin travel options compared
| Option | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Kwara Express | Not available | Avoid old listings and phone numbers |
| State CNG buses | Lower-cost road travel | Park, fare, departure time |
| Certified private parks | Wide choice of operators | Certificate, receipt, vehicle condition |
| Private car | Flexible timing | Road conditions, rest stops, traffic |
| Flights from Ilorin (ILR) | Speed | Schedule for your exact date |
Certified motor parks in Ilorin
On 16 July 2025, the Kwara State Government renewed the operating certificates of 12 private motor parks in Ilorin, out of 49 existing private parks. Other reports said the state withdrew the operating rights of 37 parks after a compliance inspection.
The 12 recertified operators named in the state’s press release were:
- Ilorin Emirate Transport Service
- KASMAG Line
- Success Express Transport Service
- RASYAU Travel & Tours Ltd
- Fayos Motors Transport Service
- Okin Motors & Sons Nig. Ltd
- Alubarika Decency Motors
- Femali (FM) Nig. Ltd
- Bekki & Sons Motors
- Young Legacy Line
- Royal Ryders Super Express
- Laraku Motors
This list is more than a year old, and the state said the recertification exercise would be continuous. Ask to see a park’s current certificate, and check with the Kwara Ministry of Transportation if you are unsure. Being on the list doesn’t mean an operator runs every route.
Flying from Ilorin instead
Flying saves the most time. Flight-tracking data shows Overland Airways and United Nigeria Airlines flying from Ilorin to both Abuja and Lagos. United Nigeria Airlines added Ilorin to its network in late 2025, and Umza Air launched Ilorin–Abuja flights around the same time. Umza serves the Abuja route only.
Schedules and fares change often, so check your exact date with the airline a day before you travel. For prices and times on the Lagos leg, read our guide to flights from Lagos to Ilorin. Travelling with older relatives? See our guide to travelling with elderly parents.
How to book road transport safely
- Buy at the park counter, or through a channel the operator confirms in person.
- Don’t pay into a personal bank account for a company ticket.
- Keep a receipt showing your name, route, date and seat.
- Ask where the bus stops and when it should arrive.
- Share your trip details and the vehicle number with someone you trust.
- Check road safety information from the Federal Road Safety Corps before long trips. Its toll-free line is 122.
More tips: our Lagos transport safety guide and how to book a bus ticket online in Nigeria.
Continuing to Lagos or Abuja
- Lagos to Ilorin by bus
- Lagos road trip times
- Transportation from Lagos to Abuja
- Lagos to Abuja by bus
- Interstate bus routes and fares from Lagos
Looking at another state-owned operator? See our Plateau Express Transport guide. Catching an international flight from Lagos? Arrive the day before if you can, and see our Lagos Airport guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kwara Express running in 2026?
We found no report of a restart. The state closed it temporarily in November 2024 and moved to scrap its parent company in June 2025.
How much is Kwara Express from Ilorin to Abuja?
There is no current fare because we found no confirmed service. Any price online is likely out of date. Ask at a certified Ilorin park or a state CNG bus park for today’s fare.
Who owned Kwara Express?
It was run by Harmony Transport Services Ltd, a subsidiary of the state-owned Harmony Holdings.
Are the Kwara CNG buses the same as Kwara Express?
No. The CNG buses are a separate federal-backed scheme. In October 2026, the state said 20 were running on routes including Abuja, Lagos and Enugu.
Which Ilorin motor parks are approved?
In July 2025, the state recertified 12 private parks out of 49. See the list above and ask each park for its current certificate.
Can I fly from Ilorin to Abuja or Lagos?
Yes. Overland Airways and United Nigeria Airlines serve both routes, and Umza Air flies Ilorin–Abuja. Check your exact date with the airline.
Bottom line
Kwara Express isn’t a service you can plan around right now. For road travel, use a certified Ilorin motor park or a state CNG bus, and confirm the fare in person. For speed, fly. We will update this page if the state announces a return.
Sources
- Ilorin.info: Kwara Government temporarily closes Kwara Express (November 2024)
- Premium Times: Kwara government scraps Harmony Holdings (June 2025)
- Voice of Nigeria: Kwara reverts assets of Harmony Holdings to Finance Ministry (June 2025)
- Diamond FM: Kwara Assembly approves transfer of Harmony Holdings to Kwara State Government (July 2025)
- Kwara State Government: Kwara govt recertifies 12 transport operators (July 2025)
- THISDAY: Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Plateau, Enugu deploy CNG buses (October 2026)
- Legit.ng: States unveil CNG buses with cheaper fares (October 2026)
- Afrviator: United Nigeria Airlines adds Ilorin and Umza Air launches Ilorin–Abuja flights (November 2025)
- FlightsFrom: Ilorin to Abuja and Ilorin to Lagos route data
This guide is for general information only. Routes, fares, schedules and operator approvals change. Confirm details with the operator, airline or the Kwara Ministry of Transportation before you travel or pay.
