Petrol prices in the Federal Capital Territory have surged to between N1,335 and N1,383 per litre, with some stations selling at N1,261, triggering widespread hardship among residents and paralysing transportation networks. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) confirmed its current price at N1,261, while independent vendors charge significantly more. This marks over five price increases within a single month, according to investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Many private and commercial vehicle owners have stopped operating due to the high cost of fuel, leaving commuters stranded at bus stops across Abuja. Civil servants reported coming to work only twice a week as transport fares doubled, while taxi drivers said earnings had plummeted despite higher charges.
Mr Nuhu Sani, a commercial driver, said operators are forced to raise fares to survive, but passengers cannot keep up. "The situation is becoming increasingly unbearable," he said, noting that fewer people can afford regular travel, cutting into his income. Mrs Grace Okeke, a civil servant, said transport now consumes nearly twice her previous budget, affecting her ability to meet other basic needs. Mr Musa Abdullahi pointed out that rising logistics costs are pushing up prices of food and other goods. Dr Tunde Adebayo, an economic analyst, stated that fuel costs are directly inflating the general cost of living, warning of continued economic strain without intervention. Mr Simon Audu and others urged the Federal Government to stabilise fuel prices and improve public transportation. Uber driver Mr Wale Johnson said he stopped driving because fuel costs exceed his daily earnings. Mrs Marie Uzor, a business owner in Wuse Market, warned that higher transport fees will make food and supplies more expensive for consumers.
The government has not announced any immediate measures to address the spike, while residents await policy action.
When NNPCL sells petrol at N1,261 while other stations charge over N1,383, it is not a pricing gap — it is proof that the market is unregulated and citizens are being exploited. The claim that fuel costs are driving inflation isn't new; what's revealing is that even state-backed pricing fails to anchor the market. If commercial drivers like Nuhu Sani are forced to raise fares just to survive, and riders like Grace Okeke are forced to work fewer days, then the economy is no longer functioning — it is rationing mobility. This isn't just a fuel crisis; it's the collapse of daily life.
