Nigeria is currently facing a fuel crisis which has resulted in queues emerging in several major cities across the country including the federal capital, Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Abeokuta and Port Harcourt.
This crisis was triggered by the directive of the Nigerian Road Transport Truck Owners Association asking its members not to make their trucks available for the transportation of petroleum products from Monday, February 19, 2024, due to cost high operating rates. In a letter to the Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria (NUPENG), the association said its members could no longer continue their activities due to the insurmountable challenges they are facing. All their efforts to get help from the relevant authorities were in vain.
This fuel crisis comes on top of protest demonstrations that have erupted in some parts of the country due to the food crisis and the increasing cost of living. In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, youths took to the streets to protest the economic situation in the country. Protesters held placards calling on President Bola Tinubu to keep his promise of “Renewed Hope” and end economic hardship.
At the same time, the labor movement has begun to mobilize its members for a two-day national demonstration scheduled for February 27 and 28. Affiliates of the Nigeria Labor Congress were mobilized to participate in this unprecedented protest. Despite pressure to postpone or cancel the protest, the NLC maintains its commitment to defending workers’ rights.
Thus, the fuel crisis and ongoing protests highlight the deteriorating economic situation in Nigeria and the need for decisive action to address these issues. Pressure is mounting on authorities to respond to citizens’ concerns and find lasting solutions to improve the current situation.