If you鈥檝e been angry about the ongoing fuel scarcity, brace yourself for the worse, as filling stations nationwide might raise their prices soon. The NNPC recently its petrol suppliers $6 billion, partly why fuel queues have persisted nationwide.
These Nigerians, who are still struggling with the subsidy-driven price hikes, share how another fuel price increment will affect their livelihoods.
Hakeem | Food Business Owner | Monthly Income: 鈧500k
I recently opened a physical store, and we鈥檝e been without electricity for nearly two weeks due to connection issues. In that time, I鈥檝e spent over 鈧120k on fuel, and that鈥檚 with a strict schedule I devised to limit generator use. Running the gen 24/7 would cost even more. The fuel scarcity has worsened, sometimes forcing us to buy from the black market at 鈧7k for 5 litres. My worry is if I’ve spent this much in two weeks at the current price, how much more will I budget for fuel in future when they increase the price? These people make running a business harder than it should be. It’s so annoying.
Kenny | Remote Worker | Monthly Income: 鈧300k
Thankfully, I haven鈥檛 spent much on fuel in the past three months, so I haven鈥檛 paid much attention to fuel scarcity. There鈥檚 been good, consistent light in my area鈥24 hours most days. Before this, I spent around 鈧40k weekly on fuel, a big jump from the 鈧20k I used to spend before the subsidy removal. It鈥檚 frustrating to think a large chunk of my income goes to fueling my generator. I鈥檓 just praying the electricity stays stable because I can鈥檛 imagine spending more than 鈧40k on fuel if prices go up again.
Chinaza* | Phone Technician | Monthly Income: 鈧200k
I鈥檓 still struggling to adjust to the fuel price hike since the subsidy was removed. Apart from fixing phones, I run a device charging station that requires constant power. Before the subsidy removal, I budgeted 鈧30-35k for fuel each month, which doubled after the price hike. I had to increase my charging rates, which reduced the number of customers. Some used to charge their devices multiple times a day, but now, they do it once and stretch it out. If fuel prices go up again, I鈥檒l have to raise my prices, or I鈥檒l run at a loss. As much as I hate to admit it, I make the most money when there鈥檚 no light. But this fuel crisis has tanked my business.
Tayo | Private Cab Driver | Average daily income: 鈧45k-50k
My main worry is that another price hike will make black market fuel even more expensive.
I spend about 鈧45k-50k to fuel my car for two days, but I sometimes pay more for less fuel when buying from black market sellers. Lately, they鈥檝e been my go-to. I have a theory that many Lagos filling stations tamper with their meters, so even if they sell at 鈧650 per litre, the quantity is less compared to what I get from black market sellers at 鈧1k per litre. I鈥檇 rather pay more than waste time in the long queues at filling stations. Right now, black market sellers charge 鈧7-8k for five litres of fuel. I usually buy about 20 litres from them for 鈧40k, and it鈥檚 not because I want to. As a cab driver, time is money. The hours I鈥檇 spend queuing at a filling station could be spent completing trips. If fuel prices go any higher, turning a profit will only get tougher.
Akin | Writer | Monthly Income: 鈧300k
Another fuel price hike feels like the government saying, 鈥渟crew you.鈥 It means I鈥檒l have to rely more on NEPA, which isn鈥檛 exactly dependable. Over the past year, most of my spending has been on food, fuel, transportation, and other essentials. In a heavy month, fuel takes up at least N70k of my 鈧300k income because I work from home sometimes. That 鈧70k doesn鈥檛 include what my brother, whom I live with, contributes on the days I don鈥檛 cover the fuel costs.
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