RismadarVoice Reporters, August 28, 2026
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and various civil society organisations have criticised the Federal Government and petroleum industry operators over the latest increase in petrol prices, accusing them of worsening the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
The groups also faulted the government for what they described as weak regulatory oversight of the downstream petroleum sector.
The development followed a fresh increase in petrol pump prices recorded across parts of the country on Wednesday, with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributing the hike to repeated price adjustments by the Dangote Refinery.
Reacting to the development, the NLC Assistant General Secretary, Chris Onyeka, said the latest increase was difficult to justify, particularly given the relative stability of global crude oil prices and recent improvements in the foreign exchange market.
Onyeka alleged that Nigerians were being subjected to exploitation by dominant players in the petroleum sector.
“There is a gang-up against Nigerian masses by the elite, unfortunately with the seeming support of the ruling class,” he said.
He argued that the dominance of a few operators in the petroleum market had created conditions for repeated price increases, accusing regulators of failing to adequately protect consumers.
According to him, the government must strengthen regulatory oversight and revive public refineries to reduce the influence of dominant operators in the downstream sector.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) also backed the NLC’s position, alleging that the government appeared more concerned about protecting business interests than the welfare of citizens.
HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, questioned why locally refined petroleum products and imported products were being sold at similar prices.
“The NLC is spot on. How can you explain why the only oil refinery in Nigeria and those who import petroleum products are selling at almost the same price?” he asked.
Onwubiko argued that a deregulated market should encourage competition and ultimately benefit consumers through lower prices.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) also expressed concern over the latest increase, saying Nigerians were already struggling with high transportation costs, food inflation and declining purchasing power.
Its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said deregulation should not be allowed to become a justification for exploitation.
He urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other relevant agencies to conduct an evidence-based review of the current petrol pricing structure.
Rafsanjani called for greater transparency from refiners, depot owners and marketers on the factors responsible for price adjustments, including refining costs, transportation, financing, storage, insurance, distribution margins and applicable taxes.
He also urged regulators to investigate possible price fixing, coordinated pricing, artificial scarcity, market dominance and other anti-competitive practices.
ActionAid Nigeria also called for stronger government intervention to protect consumers from the effects of rising petrol prices.
The organisation’s Country Director, Dr Andrew Mamedu, said increases in petrol prices have direct consequences for transportation, food prices, businesses and household incomes.
Mamedu said Nigerians deserved an explanation for the latest increase, particularly as some of the factors usually cited for price adjustments, including crude oil prices and exchange rates, had shown relative stability.
He stressed that deregulation should not amount to arbitrary pricing or profiteering.
According to him, the NMDPRA and FCCPC should examine the entire pricing chain from refineries to filling stations and take action where evidence of collusion, price fixing, artificial scarcity or excessive profiteering is established.
He also called for targeted measures to cushion vulnerable Nigerians from the effects of fuel price increases, including affordable public transportation, social protection and support for farmers and low-income households.
Meanwhile, IPMAN attributed the latest increase to repeated adjustments in the gantry price of petrol by the Dangote Refinery.
IPMAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, said marketers had experienced several price adjustments within the past week.
He said the refinery increased its gantry price from N1,165 per litre to N1,185 and subsequently to N1,200.
“Every time Dangote increases his price, our price will also rise,” Ukadike said, explaining that marketers could not continue selling below their replacement costs.
The latest increases have also been reflected in Abuja, where NNPC Retail stations reportedly moved from N1,250 to N1,270 per litre, while TotalEnergies increased its price from N1,250 to N1,275 per litre. Bovas stations also adjusted their prices from about N1,253 to approximately N1,275 per litre.
Ukadike said fluctuations in petrol prices were influenced by several factors, including international crude oil prices, foreign exchange movements and geopolitical developments affecting global oil supplies.
He, however, expressed optimism that Dangote Refinery’s free transportation initiative for marketers could help reduce distribution costs and ease pressure on pump prices.
The IPMAN spokesman also called for increased support for domestic refining, including improved access to crude oil for local refineries.
He questioned the continued importation of petrol at prices higher than locally refined products, arguing that greater reliance on domestic refining could strengthen competition and reduce pressure on foreign exchange.
Meanwhile, comments attributed to several respondents on the Osun election stressed the importance of voter choice, grassroots mobilisation, candidate credibility and effective engagement with citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Some respondents argued that the election demonstrated that candidate popularity and perceived performance could influence voters beyond party affiliation.
Others said political parties would need to strengthen grassroots structures, rebuild public trust, engage young voters and present credible candidates capable of addressing issues affecting citizens.
The respondents also highlighted the importance of credible electoral processes, effective mobilisation and vote protection in determining electoral outcomes.
