{
  "id": 9915424,
  "title": "Fuel subsidy debate deepens as rising petrol prices hit Nigerians",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/fuel-subsidy-debate-deepens-as-rising-petrol-prices-hit-nigerians",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T05:09:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/26/fuel-subsidy-debate-deepens-as-rising-petrol-prices-hit-nigerians/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three years after President Bola Tinubu eliminated fuel subsidies, the repercussions of deregulated petrol prices persist, affecting commuters, transport operators, and small business owners. The ongoing dispute over whether Nigeria should reinstate fuel subsidies has intensified, with the federal government asserting that petrol prices cannot be controlled, while opposition members argue that Nigerians require immediate relief from escalating transportation and living expenses.\n\nThe recent hike in petrol prices is particularly burdensome on commercial transport in Kano. A recent survey by Daily Post revealed that fare hikes have occurred on both long-distance and local routes, while small business proprietors are also adjusting their prices to accommodate the rising fuel costs. Abu Sadiq, a commercial tricycle driver, shared his struggles in a recent interview with DAILY POST. Sadiq explained that he purchases fuel at N1,440 or N1,470 from different stations, yet faces difficulties in securing passengers despite the increased expenses. This makes it challenging for him to recover daily operating costs.\n\nThe price increase has also impacted interstate travel. Daily Post's survey found that transport fares on several routes have risen by approximately N1,000. For instance, the journey from Kano to Bauchi now costs around N11,000, and the trip from Kano to Mararaba in Abuja now costs about N11,000. The Kaduna-Kano route now amounts to around N7,000, while Saminaka to Bauchi has increased to about N7,000. Additionally, Kaduna to Bauchi costs N15,000, while the travel from Maiduguri to Bauchi has risen to N12,000. The survey also highlighted that travel between Bauchi to Wukari in Taraba costs N14,000, Bauchi to Jalingo costs N17,000, and Kano to Hadejia in Jigawa costs N9,000.\n\nSmall businesses are not exempt from the impact of rising fuel prices. In Mariri, Kano, tomato grinding operator Maman Ramadan, known as Maman Ramadan, reported being forced to raise her prices due to escalating fuel costs. She stated that she now charges a minimum of N150, regardless of the quantity of tomatoes. Ramadan also mentioned that she occasionally purchases fuel from a black market, but ultimately, she is unable to achieve the profits she previously earned. Nevertheless, the survey indicated that prices for basic food items, such as seasoning cubes, salt, flour, and other everyday cooking ingredients, have remained relatively stable in local shops around Mariri.\n\nProfessor M. I. Aminu, an associate professor at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, has called upon the federal government to safeguard low-income households from the effects of rising petrol prices. In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Aminu argued that higher transportation costs generally lead to increased inflation, as the costs of moving people, food, raw materials, and other goods also rise. Aminu explained that when fuel prices increase, transport operators face higher operating expenses, which may result in fare increases. However, the consequences extend beyond passengers. Farmers, wholesalers, and retailers also bear the burden of higher transportation costs, as these expenses are eventually passed on to consumers through increased prices of goods. Aminu stressed that the situation in Nigeria is particularly significant because the economy heavily relies on road transportation. He emphasized that there is no single percentage increase in fuel prices that will not adversely affect low-income households, as the impact depends on whether household incomes are rising at the same rate as the cost of living. Aminu emphasized that the primary concern is the loss of purchasing power, rather than merely the increase in petrol prices. He recommended targeted cash transfers and other social protection programs for vulnerable households, as well as improvements in mass public transportation and investments in roads, rail, and logistics infrastructure to reduce the cost of moving people and goods. Additionally, Aminu urged the government to address broader factors driving inflation, such as high logistics costs, energy constraints, and exchange-rate pressures.",
  "summary": "More than three years after President Bola Tinubu declared that fuel subsidy was gone, the impact of deregulated petrol prices continues to be felt by commuters, transport operators and small business owners. The debate over whether Nigeria should restore fuel subsidy has intensified, with the Federal Government insisting that petrol prices can no longer be […] Fuel subsidy debate deepens as…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}