A coalition of civil society organizations has called for an immediate investigation into the recent surge in fuel prices in Nigeria, accusing the government of corruption and mismanagement in the petroleum sector.
The Coalition for Energy Reforms and Good Governance Advocacy claims that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has skyrocketed from ₦568 to ₦1,075 per litre within a year due to hidden charges and taxes imposed by the government.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the group’s convener, Yakubu Dauda, stressed that the failure to revive local refineries has forced Nigeria to rely heavily on imported fuel, a practice he described as unsustainable and beneficial to only a few elites.
“The leadership has failed to deliver on its promises to improve the petroleum sector,” Dauda said. “Instead, the administration has worsened the situation through poor policy decisions, corruption, and inefficiency. The inability to rehabilitate local refineries is the most glaring example of this failure.”
The coalition is urging the government to conduct a comprehensive audit of the petroleum sector, with a focus on uncovering corruption and unwarranted charges contributing to the fuel price hike. They also called for significant investments in local refineries to end Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
“Nigeria has the resources to become a net exporter of petroleum products, but this can only happen if we break free from the corrupt cabals that have hijacked the industry,” Dauda added, warning that the continued importation of fuel is unsustainable.
The coalition emphasized that accountability is crucial, and those responsible for inflating fuel prices and obstructing local refinery operations must face justice.
