The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, has worsened across Nigeria. Queues at filling stations stretch for kilometers, and prices are soaring above N1,000 per liter in some areas.
The shortage began over a month ago in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja and has now spread nationwide, causing severe disruptions in commercial and social activities.
In Abuja, black markets are booming. Petrol prices have reached N1,200 per litre, while gas stations sell between N700 to N1,050 per litre.
The situation is dire in Lagos, where only a few stations sell petrol, leading to heavy traffic congestion as motorists and buyers in jerry cans swarm the outlets. Prices in Lagos range from N650 to N700 per litre at NNPC stations, with private marketers charging as much as N900. Black market prices are even higher, reaching up to N2,500 per liter.
Similar situations have been recorded in several major cities, such as Kano, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt, where petrol prices range between N760 and N950 per litre, and many stations are either closed or facing long queues.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed the shortage to distribution challenges but provided no specific reasons for the ongoing crisis. Meanwhile, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) president, Abubakar Maigandi, cited “panic buying” and logistical issues as contributing factors.
The NNPCL has promised to resolve the distribution issues by midweek and urges Nigerians to be patient and avoid panic buying.
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