The Nigeria Labour Congress and Civil Society Organisations have criticized the recent reduction in the pump price of petrol to ₦935 per litre, describing it as inadequate and demanding further cuts.
This follows the announcement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery in partnership with MRS Oil and Gas, which brought the petrol price down from over ₦1,030 per litre in Lagos and more than ₦1,060 per litre in Abuja and northern states.
A senior official of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, rejected any celebration of the price reduction, stating that the current pricing framework does not reflect local realities.
“Do you want us to clap for them? How can we be okay with a price of ₦935 per litre of petrol? This is not the right price,” Onyeka told The PUNCH.
He argued that Nigerians are unfairly burdened by costs embedded in the pricing, including foreign labour and logistics, despite the country’s refining capacity.
“We need to know how much it costs the NNPC to refine a litre of petrol locally. That is the price Nigerians should be paying. Let the government prioritize the welfare of Nigerians and let the poor breathe,” he emphasized.
Chairman of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, described the new price as still too high, arguing that both the government and private businesses could further lower the cost.
“Even at ₦935, it’s still expensive. Dangote hinted the price could drop to as low as ₦650. Why can’t the government-owned refineries achieve the same? In some countries, petrol is given for free. We deserve better,” Adeniran stated.
Similarly, Ibrahim Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, commended the reduction but urged for a more significant drop.
“If a private company can reduce prices and still make a profit, why can’t government enterprises do the same? Nigerians deserve relief,” Rafsanjani said.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited recently reduced its pump price to ₦965 per litre in Abuja, down from ₦1,040. MRS filling stations, in line with Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price reduction, implemented a nationwide price of ₦935 per litre.
A motorist at an NNPC station in Abuja confirmed the price drop but noted the long queues. “I bought petrol for ₦965 this morning. It’s good news, but the queues are too long because other stations are still selling at higher prices,” he said.
Hassan, another driver, expressed hope that the reduction would lead to lower transport costs. “This is good news. ₦95 saved per litre means we can now buy more fuel,” he said.
Despite the price cuts at NNPC and MRS outlets, many independent and major marketers continue to sell at higher prices, citing old stock purchased at previous rates.
For instance, AA Rano sold petrol at ₦1,060, NIPCO at ₦1,030, and AP at ₦1,070 in Abuja. Mobil in Jabi Garage priced petrol at ₦1,040.
The President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, confirmed the collaboration with MRS to implement the ₦935 price across their stations nationwide. Dangote Refinery reduced its ex-depot price from ₦970 to ₦899.50.
In a statement, the company assured Nigerians, “Petrol is now being sold at ₦935 at MRS filling stations nationwide.”
While the recent price reductions offer some relief, the NLC, CSOs, and Nigerians are pushing for further cuts to ease the economic burden caused by high fuel costs.
