Nigeria's major socio-cultural groups—Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and Arewa Youths—demand the government reverse the recent fuel price hike, warning of severe economic consequences. Increasing petrol prices have led to soaring transportation costs, rising commodity prices, and public outcry, prompting calls for immediate action from President Tinubu's administration.
Nigeria's leading socio-cultural groups—Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and Arewa Youths—are urging the federal government to reverse the recent hike in fuel prices. The increase in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has led to significant public outcry and worsened the country's inflation, with petrol prices surging from N600 to over N855 per liter and reaching as high as N1,400 in some areas.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed the price hike to market forces. Still, citizens, including civil servants, are bearing the brunt of increased transportation costs, with fares jumping by over 50%. In major cities like Lagos and Abuja, intra-city travel costs have doubled, stranding many commuters.
Moses Jukun, a commercial driver, lamented the challenges posed by the new fuel prices, stating that profits have dwindled despite rising operational costs. Similarly, prices of essential commodities have soared, affecting traders and small businesses, who are now forced to pass on increased costs to consumers.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned of grave consequences if the government fails to revert to previous fuel prices. Afenifere also expressed concerns that this hike undermines key policies of President Tinubu’s administration, such as the Students Loan Scheme. Meanwhile, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) called for better communication from the government, urging President Tinubu to address the nation and clarify the reasons behind the fuel price hike.
These groups stress that the rising economic hardship may lead to civil unrest if not addressed swiftly, with calls for policy reversals and transparency to ease the pressure on Nigerian citizens.
