The ongoing fuel scarcity, which initially surfaced in Lagos and Abuja over a month ago, has now spread across the nation, causing widespread distress. In some regions, petrol prices have skyrocketed to over N1,000 per liter.
Numerous petrol stations across the country have closed their doors, citing a lack of supply. This shortage has severely disrupted both commercial and social activities. Although the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed the scarcity to "distribution" challenges, they have yet to clarify the reasons behind the recent spike in shortages, which have persisted in Abuja and surrounding areas for more than four weeks.
Meanwhile, black market vendors are capitalizing on the situation, selling ten-liter jerrycans of petrol for as much as N12,000. Private fuel stations that still have petrol in stock are charging between N750 and N1,050 per liter, depending on the location.
