Fuel prices in Benin City have surged past ₦900 per litre, according to market traders, with some vendors reporting prices as high as ₦950. This rise, occurring just before Easter, has dampened consumer spending in one of the busiest retail periods of the year. Traders at Oba Market, one of the city's oldest commercial hubs, said foot traffic had dropped significantly compared to previous years. Aiyekhire Osagie, president of the Oba Market Traders Association, stated that reduced patronage was already affecting turnover. "People no longer have the money to buy non-essential goods," he said. Transport fares have also climbed, adding to the cost of moving goods and customers. Many traders rely on Easter sales to recover from lean periods, but this year's gains appear muted. The national average for petrol remains officially below ₦900, but supply gaps and distribution challenges have driven local prices higher. No government official was available for comment on the disparity.
Aiyekhire Osagie's observation that people lack money for non-essentials signals deeper strain than a single price hike can explain. When Easter, a peak spending season, fails to move goods, it reflects a consumer base stretched beyond resilience. This isn't just about fuel—it's about how far daily budgets have shrunk under sustained economic pressure. No statement from officials changes the reality on the ground: purchasing power is fading.
