Since the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, life and living have not been easy for most Nigerians.
The prices of virtually all goods and services have skyrocketed. Nigerian Tribune spoke to some Nigerians.
Their responses:
Collins Oboh (banker)
Before the increase in petrol price, I spent an average of about N10,000 on petrol in a week, and my wife spent maybe N5,000 – N7000 a week. Currently, I spend a minimum of N25,000 – N30,000 and my wife spends a minimum of about N10,000 –N12,000. In total, that is about N42,000 naira in a week. Unfortunately, it now costs us an average of about N100,000 – N150,000 in a month to fuel our cars. It is crazy. Salary is not increasing, business profit is decreasing, food and every other thing are expensive.
Labake Dada (lecturer)
It has not been so easy. My movement has significantly reduced. Trips that I embarked on before, I now consider them critically before going. It is only essential trips that I embark on now. These days, I have to make phone calls instead of being physically in some places. Apart from that, I notice that some things in the market have increased. The increment has affected every area of life, and salaries have not been increased.
Ehiorode Ekogiawe
It is disturbing what the increment in petrol price and the associated hardship have brought to Nigerians. It cannot be quantified. People are suffering. A vehicle’s tank that was filled in January/February with N15,000 is now filled with N55,000. That is over 200 per cent increment. You go out and see people trekking. The price of everything has increased. Inflation is something else. We are calling on the president to save us.
Yemisi Adeniyi (Baker)
The increment in petrol price has affected a lot of things. The standard of living and everything is now expensive. People that bought things in the past six months now sell them at the current exorbitant price. For example, a bag of rice is now N40,000. Everything has gone up − clothes, toiletries, transportation. The prices of things, especially in the market, have doubled.
Durodola Tunde (Trader)
I can no longer perform like the man I am at home again due to the high cost of petrol and the hardship that comes with it. If things should continue like this, it could lead to a riot. There is no help from any angle or anyone again. Shop owners have increased the rent of shops. Children no longer go to school − my children get to school around 9:00am because we would trek halfway and board a commercial bike for the rest of the journey.
Samuel Adekunle (Pharmacist)
The sudden increment in petrol prices surprised everyone. We just recovered from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cashless policy, which paralysed many businesses. We thought this new administration would bring peace to everyone. The increment in petrol price is unbearable. I am a businessman and must say the prices of goods increase every day. The high cost of petrol would affect all the sectors. The government should listen to us.
Olayiwola Musiliu (Generator Repairer)
The high cost of petrol has affected my business a lot. When the price of diesel was increased, it affected me but I had to endure it because petrol was less expensive then. However, when the price of petrol was increased, it totally killed my business. I have a car but don’t drive it every day due to the high cost of petrol. Students would soon go on holiday, and teachers are already telling them that school fees would increase by next term. As it is now, no husband can carry all the responsibilities alone.
Adesanya Olalekan (Trader)
It is okay that the government removed the subsidy on petrol because if it did not, it would later affect us in the future. I feel it is some people that are collecting the money and refuse to let it circulate. My advice is: If people cannot cope with the high cost of transportation, they should get a bicycle in the meantime, especially those whose places of work are not far from their homes.
