If you no get gist for this country, na who you offend? Because, for real, the drama around fuel prices and this Dangote refinery is like a never-ending zeeworld series. If you live in Nigeria, you know that fuel issues have become the country’s favorite soap opera. It has twists, turns, villains, and plot holes that make you want to scream. The latest episode? The price of fuel is now ₦980 per litre. And to make matters worse, it’s not just imported fuel, his is fuel from our very own Nigeria, coming out of a refinery that was meant to be our savior. But instead of celebration, we’re dealing with black market madness and desperate measures.
Let me tell you how my Saturday went down. I was driving to my radio show, the tank flashing empty like it was mocking me. I knew I had to get fuel or I’d be stranded in the middle of nowhere. After stopping at two filling stations with queues as long as Nigeria’s wahala and then three different black market boys, all of whom swore their 10 litres cost ₦14,000, I realized I was running out of options and time. With tears and the kind of desperation you only see in Nollywood, I begged until one finally agreed to sell for ₦13,000. Na beg I take buy the fuel, my people. I almost passed out. When I say “our tired is tired,” trust me, it’s not an exaggeration.
Now, let’s get to the real gist. When we heard about the Dangote refinery, we all thought, “Finally! Our fuel troubles will soon be over.” But, as usual, village people had other plans. It’s no longer news as Dangote himself was crying out, saying the oil cabal is trying to sabotage his refinery. The man even mentioned something about the famous Malta story something something that they want to block his operations.
What’s worse? We thought the refinery would give us cheaper fuel, but the prices are still outrageous! At one point, the rumors flying around were that Dangote was the one behind these high prices. But the Dangote group came out sharp-sharp, throwing their hands in the air like, “No o, it’s not us o! It’s NNPC that’s determining the price!” So here we are, watching NNPC peg fuel at ₦980 per litre, and we’re just the desperate spectators in this drama. Crude oil from our land, refined in our own refinery, yet we’re still being priced out like foreigners.
Nigerians are suffering, sha. We are moving from one struggle to another. If you can help someone, abeg, do it. Even village people are going through so much that they don’t have time to block your destiny anymore. Everyone is in survival mode. The combination of hunger, poverty, and health conditions is no joke, so please take care of yourself because things are hard all around. I would say more, but let me just reserve my comment.
Now, for those wondering, “What can be done?”—here are some ideas that could help lift us from this inflation and poverty wahala.
Reducing our over-reliance on oil should be a top priority. We need to diversify into agriculture, tech, and other sectors. By doing this, we’ll ensure that no one sector holds the entire economy hostage like oil currently does. Alongside that, serious reforms in the oil sector are a must. The cabal and their endless manipulation of the system need to be addressed. If Dangote’s refinery, along with others, is to thrive, we need transparent, fair regulations that allow local production to actually benefit Nigerians.
Strengthening local manufacturing is another solution. By producing more goods locally, we can reduce our reliance on expensive imports, which are driving inflation. This will also create jobs, allowing people to afford basic things like food and fuel. And speaking of people, the government needs to invest in proper social welfare programs. The number of Nigerians struggling to make ends meet is growing by the day. Without some form of safety net, the divide between the rich and poor will only widen, and the consequences could be disastrous.
In addition to all the suffering and skyrocketing prices, it’s clear that we need to explore alternative energy solutions. One viable option is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a fuel alternative. It’s no secret that Nigeria is rich in natural gas, so why not tap into that potential? If the government can invest in CNG cars and create CNG conversion stations nationwide, it would offer a cheaper, more sustainable option for Nigerians.
Imagine not having to worry about the price of petrol hitting ₦1,000 per litre because you’ve converted your car to run on CNG. It could be a game changer. The infrastructure for CNG conversion should be established across the country, making it accessible and affordable for everyday Nigerians. It’s high time we shift away from our over-dependence on petrol and start exploring other options that are right at our fingertips.
This is the kind of forward-thinking policy that can ease the burden on citizens, reduce fuel costs, and ultimately lift us out of the current inflation-induced misery. If the government can prioritize this at a national level, we just might have a fighting chance to survive this ongoing fuel madness.
While CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) already exists at NIPCO and a few other stations, the real issue is its availability. Right now, it feels like a privilege for only a few, but what we need is a massive expansion. It should be as common as your regular petrol stations, making it readily available for the average Nigerian. Imagine a Nigeria where CNG stations are on every corner, and converting your car to run on CNG isn’t just an option, but a practical solution for everyone.
With proper expansion, CNG can offer a cheaper, cleaner, and more sustainable alternative to petrol. This is something the government needs to prioritize, making CNG affordable and accessible for the common man.
Lastly, fixing the power sector would be a game changer. If electricity was stable, businesses and households wouldn’t need to rely so heavily on fuel for generators. Imagine what a relief that would be, not just for businesses, but for everyday Nigerians who are tired of this constant cycle of suffering. A stable power supply would bring immediate economic relief and help reduce the overwhelming reliance on fuel, allowing for a ripple effect of lower prices and improved quality of life.
In the meantime, we continue to complain, make jokes, and try not to lose our minds completely. Nigerians are resilient, but even resilience has its limit. We can only hope that one day, the fuel prices will drop, and we’ll look back at this period and laugh, because, right now, all we can do is shake our heads and carry on.
It’s a tough situation we find ourselves in, but like I said, Nigerians have mastered the art of turning complaints into conversation. Every day, the talk centers around one thing: how bad things have become. From fuel to food prices, and even the cost of transportation, the struggle is real. It’s gotten to the point where people don’t even ask how your day went anymore. They just ask, “How far fuel?” It’s our new normal. Complaining has become part of our DNA because we’ve been pushed beyond limits.
I mean, we are paying ₦980 per litre for fuel from our own backyard, crude oil that was drilled from Nigerian soil, refined in Nigeria, and then sold to Nigerians at exorbitant rates. It’s not supposed to be this way. But here we are. And the sad part is, it’s not just the price of fuel that’s going up. Everything is going up. Food is expensive, transportation is insane, and even our mental health is taking a hit. If you’re not careful, the stress of just surviving in Nigeria will knock you out. Hunger, poverty, and health issues are becoming the silent epidemic. People are dealing with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, while struggling to afford basic needs.
Honestly, if you can help someone, please do. Even those “village people” that we joke about blocking our success are too stressed to focus on destiny-blocking these days. They’re struggling too! It’s that bad. Everybody is in survival mode, and we have to look out for each other. Whether it’s sharing a meal, giving a ride, or even just offering a word of encouragement, we need to be kind because the suffering is everywhere.
As for the government, we need better policies. Policies that address inflation, reduce the cost of living, and give us some breathing room. It can’t be that every day we’re just pushing through another crisis. We need a break. Nigerians are tired, and it’s only through strategic interventions that things can improve. Creating more jobs, reducing dependency on oil, and fixing the power sector should be top priorities. Let’s not just talk about change, let’s make it happen, because right now, the average Nigerian is living in shege pro max, and no one deserves that.
At the end of the day, we can only hope that these changes come sooner rather than later. We hope for a Nigeria where we can buy fuel without selling a kidney, where the price of food doesn’t make you rethink your life choices, and where surviving isn’t a daily battle. Until then, we continue to struggle, laugh, and press on, because that’s the Nigerian way. But make no mistake, our tired is truly tired, and we can’t wait for the day things turn around.
Imam, Founder of Climate Action Team, writes from axk4lima@gmail.com
