Fuel prices in the Federal Capital Territory have risen sharply, with petrol now selling for as high as ₦1,371 per litre at some filling stations, triggering widespread frustration among consumers.
Checks by Vanguard revealed that NIPCO is selling petrol at ₦1,371 per litre, while AYM Shafa is dispensing at ₦1,370 per litre. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Retail has also increased its pump price to ₦1,361 per litre, up from ₦1,261 last week. Similarly, MRS, a partner station of Dangote Refinery, now sells at ₦1,367 per litre, compared to ₦1,270 previously.
The latest increases follow recent gantry price adjustments by Dangote Refinery, bringing the total rise in petrol prices to about 55 per cent over the past three weeks.
Earlier price movements include:
- March 3: NNPC — ₦975/litre; AYM Shafa — ₦960/litre
- March 6: NNPC — ₦1,068/litre; AYM Shafa — ₦1,098/litre
- March 9: NNPC rose from ₦1,161 to ₦1,267/litre; AYM Shafa increased from ₦1,230 to ₦1,300/litre
Although there were slight reductions two days later, prices soon resumed their upward trend.
Consumers Express Frustration
Speaking at NNPC Retail in Kugbo and an AYM Shafa station in Karu, residents voiced concerns over the persistent rise in fuel prices, accusing the Federal Government of failing to act.
Isa Kabir, a civil servant, called for stronger regulatory oversight, stating:
“Deregulation should not translate into unchecked profiteering. From ₦880 at the start of the month to over ₦1,370 in just three weeks is excessive. Without a social safety net, this will push more Nigerians into poverty.”
Taxi driver Michael Ade also highlighted the impact on daily life:
“₦10,000 now buys just over seven litres of petrol, down from nearly 12 litres a month ago. Fares have risen from ₦1,200 to ₦2,000 for the same trips, making transport increasingly unaffordable.”
Consumers have called for urgent government intervention, stressing that subsidy removal should not leave citizens bearing the full burden of rising fuel costs.