Politics
THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA issues this hard-hitting and unequivocal condemnation of the latest increase in petrol prices across Nigeria, describing it as a cruel, insensitive, and economically destructive decision that has further weaponized poverty against already suffering citizens.
The abrupt hike in petrol prices—triggered by Dangote Refinery’s increase of gantry price by ₦75 per liter and swiftly mirrored by filling stations now selling between ₦1,365 and ₦1,370 per liter in Abuja—represents nothing short of an economic ambush on Nigerians. It is a calculated economic exploitation and hemorrhage unleashed on the impoverished and massively deprived citizens who also seems to have lost the sense of national outrage legally demonstrated through peaceful protests against this attempt to send millionsbof households into unmitigated absolute poverty in addition to the 130 million absolutely impoverished households.
Within hours, marketers adjusted their pumps upward, confirming the absence of any meaningful regulatory safeguards to protect the public from coordinated exploitation.
This development is not just another price increase; it is a direct attack on the survival of millions. Nigerians are already suffocating under the weight of a catastrophic cost-of-living crisis, with food prices, transportation costs, electricity tariffs, and basic commodities skyrocketing beyond reach. This latest fuel hike will multiply suffering, deepen hunger, and accelerate the collapse of fragile livelihoods across the country.
HURIWA warns that the consequences will be immediate and devastating. Millions of small businesses—the backbone of Nigeria’s informal economy—are now on the brink of extinction. Barbing salons, welding workshops, small-scale manufacturers, transport operators, and countless petty traders who depend on petrol for daily operations will be forced to shut down. This will trigger a dangerous surge in unemployment, particularly among youths and women, thereby worsening social instability and insecurity.
It is both shocking and unacceptable that Nigeria, a leading crude oil-producing nation, has become a global symbol of energy injustice, where citizens pay exorbitant prices for a resource their country abundantly produces. The justification being pushed—rising crude oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East—is not only weak but fundamentally dishonest. Countries directly affected by these tensions have not imposed such punishing fuel costs on their citizens, yet Nigerians are being forced to bear the brunt of global volatility without any form of protection.
HURIWA strongly condemns Dangote Refinery for what appears to be an opportunistic and calculated exploitation of international geopolitical tensions as a convenient excuse to increase prices. The timing and scale of this hike raise serious questions about market fairness, transparency, and the dangerous emergence of monopolistic tendencies in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
Equally disturbing is the apparent silence and inaction of the Federal Government. The failure to regulate, moderate, or even respond decisively to these relentless price hikes sends a troubling message that the suffering of Nigerians is no longer a priority. This perception of indifference is fueling anger, frustration, and a growing loss of public trust.
We therefore demand immediate and decisive intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to halt this reckless escalation of petrol prices. The government must urgently implement price stabilization mechanisms, enforce strict regulatory oversight, and ensure that no private entity is allowed to exploit Nigerians under the guise of market forces.
Furthermore, HURIWA calls for a transparent audit of pricing structures within the petroleum sector and the establishment of policies that prioritize the welfare of citizens over corporate profit.
Nigeria stands at a dangerous tipping point. The continuation of these harsh policies will not only wipe out businesses but will plunge millions further into poverty and despair. The government now faces a stark choice: defend the welfare of its citizens or remain complicit in the deepening hardship they endure. The time for silence is over. The time for action is now.
A.I
April 30, 2026
Tags: Dangote refinery Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria HURIWA