Nigerians across the country are expressing deep frustration over the continued rise in fuel prices, which has triggered sharp increases in transportation fares, food prices, and overall living expenses.
Findings indicate that while the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel, kerosene and cooking gas continues to climb, wages have largely remained stagnant, compounding the hardship faced by households and businesses alike.
In the Federal Capital Territory, petrol now sells between N1,300 and N1,450 per litre, while diesel is approaching N2,000 per litre.
The steady increases are attributed to global oil price movements and currency fluctuations, factors that have significantly heightened the cost of living.
The immediate and far-reaching impact of the hike is evident in transportation and food costs, with many commuters and motorists reporting a nearly 40 per cent rise in fuel-related expenses.
This development has left many families with reduced disposable income for food and other basic necessities, while businesses grapple with escalating operating costs.
Organised labour and other key stakeholders have warned that unless urgent steps are taken to address the situation, the benefits of higher global oil prices could be wiped out by rising inflation and mounting economic strain.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, recently cautioned that the ripple effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving Iran and the United States-Israel could further exacerbate the situation if tensions escalate.
Dangote, whose 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery raised its gantry petrol price at least five times in March to N1,245 per litre, stressed the broader consequences of prolonged instability in the Gulf region.
“If the situation does not de-escalate, we will end up paying a heavy price. Energy affects everything. From small businesses like barbers to industries running generators, everyone will feel the impact if costs continue to rise,” he warned.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also called for urgent government intervention as petrol prices edge towards N1,400 per litre in several parts of the country, raising fears of worsening inflation, job losses and possible business closures.
The recent price adjustments follow successive increases by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which raised its ex-depot price to about N1,275 per litre — the fifth hike recorded in March alone. The development has intensified debate over pricing mechanisms in Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum sector.
A commercial bus driver in Abuja, Chinedu Ike, lamented that fuel costs now consume nearly all his daily earnings.
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“I am spending almost all the money I make on fuel. Just this morning, I spent more than N50,000 on fuel before I could take off,” he said.
An Abuja-based civil servant, who preferred anonymity, decried the strain on workers’ incomes, noting that transportation now consumes a significant portion of his salary.
“We are spending almost our salaries on transportation. I spent N1,500 getting to work despite waking up very early and getting to the bus stop around 5:30–5:50am,” he said.
Similarly, another worker, Peter Echo, said rising transport and food costs have made it almost impossible to save.
“It feels like our salaries are being swallowed up before we even get to spend them. I now spend over 80 per cent of my salary just to get to work. After paying for transport and feeding my family, there is almost nothing left. How are we supposed to have savings or a plan?” he queried.
Anthony Ameh described the current situation as unprecedented in recent history, citing widespread complaints from workers and residents nationwide.
According to him, transportation costs have quadrupled for workers commuting from satellite towns around Abuja, including Mararaba, Suleja, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, Masaka, Keffi and Abaji.
He urged governments at all levels to take decisive action to stabilise fuel prices and cushion the impact on citizens, warning that failure to act could further deepen poverty, worsen mental health challenges and intensify economic hardship among Nigerian workers.