Fuel Don Pass N1,000! How Dangote Price Shock Dey Bite Ordinary Nigerians

Photo: The Punch

Chai! The wahala don start again o! Just when we thought we had seen the worst of fuel price increases, the Dangote Refinery has dealt Nigerians another heavy blow. Fuel prices have now crossed the N1,000 per litre mark, and trust me, the groaning you're hearing from every corner of the country is not small.

From Lagos to Kano: The Nationwide Fuel Price Madness

My people, this fuel price increase is not playing at all. In Lagos alone, petrol now sells for between N1,025 and N1,060 per litre at various filling stations. Imagine filling your tank and watching your money disappear faster than jollof rice at a party!

The story is the same across the federation. In Abuja, fuel is selling for N1,030-N1,050 per litre, while our brothers in Port Harcourt are paying between N1,020-N1,045. Even in northern states like Kano and Kaduna, where fuel used to be slightly cheaper, prices have hit the N1,000 mark.

Students: "School Don Become More Expensive Pass University Fees"

For students across Nigerian universities, this fuel price increase is like adding salt to injury. Chioma, a 300-level student at the University of Lagos, told us her transportation costs have doubled overnight.

"Before, I used to spend about N2,000 weekly on transport to school. Now, the same journey costs me almost N4,000. My pocket money cannot keep up with this madness," she lamented.

In Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, students have started forming 'transport cooperatives' to share the cost of commercial vehicles. Musa Ibrahim, a final year Engineering student, said: "We now contribute money together to charter vehicles because the individual transport fare has become too expensive. Some of my coursemates have started trekking long distances just to save money."

Traders: "Business Don Scatter, Customer No Dey Come Again"

The trading community is perhaps feeling the heat most. At Alaba International Market in Lagos, traders are crying that the increased transportation costs are killing their businesses slowly.

Mama Ngozi, who sells fabrics at the market, explained her predicament: "The cost of bringing goods from the port has increased by almost 70%. When I add this extra cost to my selling price, customers say it's too expensive. When I don't add it, I make losses. Na which way we go take survive?"

In Kano's Kantin Kwari Market, textile traders are reporting similar challenges. Alhaji Garba Kano, chairman of the market's textile association, said many small-scale traders are considering closing shop because they can no longer afford the cost of restocking their goods.

Families: "Food Budget Don Turn Transport Budget"

Nigerian families are feeling the pinch badly. Mrs. Adunni Kolawole, a civil servant in Ibadan with three children, shared her family's struggle:

"My husband and I used to spend about N15,000 monthly on transport to work. Now, we're spending almost N28,000. This money used to be part of our food budget. Now, we're eating less so we can go to work. This is not the Nigeria we dreamed of."

In Enugu, Mr. Paul Okoro, a bank worker, has resorted to carpooling with colleagues just to manage the transport costs. "Five of us now contribute money to fuel one person's car, and we rotate weekly. It's the only way we can survive this fuel price madness," he said.

The Domino Effect: Everything Don Cost

This fuel price increase is not happening in isolation o! It's affecting everything else. Food prices have started climbing again because transporters are passing the extra fuel costs to consumers. A bag of rice that was selling for N85,000 last month now costs N92,000 in most markets.

Commercial drivers are not smiling either. In Lagos, what used to be N200 bus fare has jumped to N350 or N400. Danfo drivers are saying they have no choice but to increase fares or stop working entirely.

Keke Napep and motorcycle operators are also adjusting their fares upward. A journey that cost N100 on okada now costs N200 in many parts of Lagos and Abuja.

Government Response: "We Dey Look Into Am"

While Nigerians are crying out, government officials are giving their usual response - "we are looking into it." The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources promised to engage with Dangote Refinery management to find a solution, but you know how these promises usually end up.

Labour unions are already threatening another nationwide strike if the fuel price situation doesn't improve soon. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the government a two-week ultimatum to address the issue or face industrial action.

My people, as we dey navigate this fuel price wahala, one thing is clear - Nigerians are resilient. We will find ways to survive, but the government needs to do something fast before the situation gets completely out of hand. This fuel price increase is hitting everybody - from the student trying to get to school to the trader trying to make an honest living.

The question now is: how long can we continue to endure these endless price increases? Something has to give, and it has to give soon!