metro

Petrol may sell for N800/litre when subsidy is removed – Marketers

Published

3 years ago

January 23, 2023

As the scarcity of the Premium of Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, continued on Sunday, oil marketers have stated that the cost of the commodity would cross N800/litre once subsidy on PMS is removed.

Industry operators had repeatedly stated that the high cost of subsidy on petrol was a burden on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and was contributory to the prolonged crisis in the downstream oil sector. NNPC is the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, recently suggested that the government should gradually withdraw subsidy on PMS, stressing that the budgetary allocation for subsidy would end in June.

But oil marketers told our correspondent that while it could be advisable to remove subsidy, Nigerians should know that the cost of petrol could cross N800/litre once the commodity was no longer subsidised.

They urged the Federal Government to ensure that all the necessary measures and infrastructure to ensure a less stressful subsidy removal regime were put in place before implementing the decision.

READ ALSO:

“If the government fails to take the appropriate measures, and they say they want to remove fuel subsidy, the situation will be worse than this, the masses will suffer. How can you remove subsidy and you don’t have this product (petrol),” the Secretary, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abuja-Suleja, Mohammed Shuaibu, stated.

He added, “If the government removes subsidy, where is the product? If you are removing subsidy, maybe by that time, the way diesel is sold at between N800 – N900/litre, we could be buying petrol at N800/litre, if not more than that.

“This is because the product will be scarce, even from the government cycle. So the government should tell Nigerians the truth about this fuel supply crisis. It is not a problem caused by marketers.”

Shuaibu said oil marketers were ready to sell, stressing that when marketers got products a few weeks ago, the queues disappeared.

“But as it is today, you have black marketers everywhere selling with jerrycans and you will ask, where are the security agencies and the regulators?” he asked.

The IPMAN official added, “By tomorrow they will claim that it is the fault of the marketers. How? We are businessmen and every businessman wants to make a profit. You know the law of supply and demand. When the product is scarce, prices will rise, and vice versa.”

He explained that the downstream sector was not structured for adequate competition, adding that this could also pose challenges when subsidy was eventually removed.

He said, “By the time you are removing subsidy, you should know that the market is not properly opened and there is no competition. They always tell you about Dangote Refinery. We must understand that Dangote is a privately owned company.

“The pipelines of that facility were not even designed to run in any Nigerian state, rather it was designed to run to neighbouring countries, and maybe that one in Lekki there, that is all.

“So, more or less, that refinery might still exploit us, because when there is no competition, the only supplier calls the shots. For had it been that as Dangote is producing in Lagos, another person is producing in Warri, while one refinery is pumping in Abuja, then there will be competition.”

READ ALSO:

He continued, “We can see, for instance, the competition in the telecommunications sector today. But the government will continue to deceive us that Dangote Refinery will come on stream, when we know that it cannot really solve the problem.”

He argued that most of the pipes of the refinery were laid to neighbouring countries to supply them gas, stressing that Nigeria should not completely rely on the facility.

“They should not continue to be singing it as if it is what will solve our fuel supply problems,” the IPMAN official stated.

Motorists lambast APC

Meanwhile, the scarcity and hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, has generated an outcry from users of the commodity, especially motorists, who have directed their anger at the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The commodity, which has an official price of N185, is being sold at higher prices by filling stations across the country.

This is in addition to the long queues of vehicles that often add to the woes of Nigerians due to the traffic they cause when they spill into main roads.

According to one Instagram user, @paschal_dheyvid, who bought the commodity at N200 per litre, he had to pay N1, 000 to gain entrance into the filling station and still had to join a long queue.

The same situation was experienced by a Twitter user, @thatboyyouhate, who said, “I was at a filling station this morning and they had to take N1, 000 from me for my 25-litre keg.”

An Instagram user, @charlessoronnadimotors, said he bought the commodity at “N420 per litre here in Aboh Mbaise, Imo State.”

READ ALSO:

Twitter user, @supapraise, lamented the long hours he spent in the queue at a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation filling station in Port Harcourt before he could buy the commodity.

He wrote, “I spent 11hrs (5am to join an already long queue. I left at 4pm) at the NNPC filling station in PH. I bought for N189. That morning, it was N179. They paused selling and adjusted the metre to the new price of N189. Paused selling again to maintain their generator since there was no NEPA electricity.”

Expressing anger at the APC which is seeking to remain in power in 2023, one @RexAgu1 said, “N360 per litre. APC has failed the unborn kids. They have removed subsidy without letting Nigerians know.”

On his part, one @King_Olivertwit sarcastically said, “APC supporters are buying it for N50/L while others are buying it for N350 to as much as N500 per litre.”

One Pascal Nwankwo, @pascalnwankwo7, blamed the situation on the APC, adding, “…and some misguided fellows are still campaigning for the APC.”

On Instagram, one @malaro44 laid curses on those still working to ensure that the APC retained the Presidency after the end of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). He said, “People voting APC, may everything about APC never depart from your household… the suffering, the hardship, the kidnapping and insecurity.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, proved abortive as his phone number was busy and he didn’t respond to the text message sent to him by our correspondent.

Punch

Related Topics:Featured marketers petrol subsidy

Up Next

Sex Scandal: Apostle Suleman slams N1 billion lawsuit against Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar

Don't Miss

Choose between death and ransom, police tell two men taken to Edo bush

metro

Rufai Oseni Dismisses Suspension Rumour, Labels It ‘APC Propaganda

Published

16 minutes ago

April 15, 2026

Trends Admin

ARISE News Channel’s The Morning Show anchor, Rufai Oseni

Rufai Oseni Dismisses Suspension Rumour, Labels It ‘APC Propaganda

ARISE News Channel’s The Morning Show anchor, Rufai Oseni, has firmly dismissed reports alleging that he was suspended from the international broadcaster, describing the claims as false, misleading, and politically motivated.

The rumour, which gained traction across social media platforms, claimed that Oseni had been suspended from Arise News following an alleged disagreement with a senior colleague. However, the journalist debunked the claim in a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, where he described the report as “APC propaganda.”

“Rufai Oseni suspended by ARISE News? Lies, APC Propaganda,” he wrote, rejecting the viral narrative.

Providing clarity on his absence from the popular breakfast programme, Oseni explained that he is currently in Berlin, Germany, attending a series of international conferences and professional engagements.

He further disclosed that he is scheduled to appear at the Bundestag, also known as the German Parliament, located in the historic Reichstag building, where he is expected to participate in discussions and engagements.

READ ALSO:

Oseni noted that his trip is aimed at gaining insights and experiences that could be beneficial to Nigeria, particularly in governance and institutional development.

The suspension rumour was reportedly linked to a social media post attributed to High Chief Lawrence Igbins Okoro, which alleged that the broadcaster had a confrontation at the station, including claims that he banged his fist on a table during a disagreement.

However, there has been no official statement from ARISE News confirming any disciplinary action against Oseni, further reinforcing his position that the report is unfounded.

Industry observers note that similar rumours have surfaced in the past, often coinciding with Oseni’s temporary absence from television broadcasts due to travel or official engagements.

Known for his fiery and assertive interviewing style, Oseni has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken television journalists, frequently engaging political figures and public office holders in robust debates.

His approach has earned him both praise and criticism, making him a prominent voice in Nigeria’s media and political discourse.

Despite the controversy, Oseni remains part of the core three-man anchor team of The Morning Show, one of the flagship programmes on ARISE News.

The latest clarification is expected to quell speculation, as the broadcaster continues his international engagements with plans to return to Nigeria after completing his scheduled appearances.

Rufai Oseni Dismisses Suspension Rumour, Labels It ‘APC Propaganda

metro

Tension in Osogbo as Protesters Demand Respect for Court Judgments in LG Dispute

Published

5 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Tension in Osogbo as Protesters Demand Respect for Court Judgments in LG Dispute

Tension erupted on Wednesday in Osogbo as protesters stormed the Osun State High Court over the ongoing dispute involving Osun State local government funds and alleged non-compliance with court rulings on the release and control of allocations.

The demonstrators, who marched from the Government House axis to the court premises at Lameco, demanded strict adherence to judicial pronouncements amid rising concerns over governance and legal authority in the Osun LG funds crisis.

The protest is linked to an ongoing legal battle involving allegations that a commercial bank released funds allegedly used in the reinstatement of All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen. The Osun State Government had initiated proceedings at the Magistrate Court over the matter.

However, the Osun State High Court in Osogbo, presided over by Justice Matthias Agboola, had earlier issued an ex parte order quashing the criminal proceedings against United Bank for Africa (UBA) and its officials at the Magistrate Court level.

READ ALSO:

Despite the High Court ruling, proceedings were reportedly allowed to continue at the Magistrate Court, a development that triggered fresh protests by reinstated local government officials and their supporters.

Carrying placards with inscriptions calling for respect for court judgments, adherence to the rule of law, and protection of judicial integrity, the protesters accused relevant actors of disregarding valid court decisions.

Security operatives were deployed across the court premises to maintain order and prevent any breakdown of law and order as the demonstration unfolded.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Hon. Maaroof Ogundipe, representing reinstated council executives, warned that continued legal actions against bank officials despite higher court rulings could escalate into a broader constitutional crisis.

He also disclosed that the group may petition the National Judicial Council (NJC), arguing that the situation raises serious concerns about judicial compliance and institutional integrity.

“It is worrisome when court decisions appear to be undermined,” he said.

Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olayanju Kolapo, also weighed in, stating that aspects of the dispute had already been addressed by earlier rulings, including a Supreme Court judgment delivered in December 2025.

He cautioned that continued disregard for court decisions could heighten political tensions and destabilise local government administration in Osun State.

The dispute over Osun local government allocations has continued to generate legal confrontations, competing interpretations of court orders, and political tension across council areas in the state.

Authorities are yet to issue an official response to Wednesday’s protest, but security presence around the High Court remained heavy throughout the demonstration.

Tension in Osogbo as Protesters Demand Respect for Court Judgments in LG Dispute

metro

Nigerian Air Force Releases BMTC 46/2025 Shortlist, Fixes Kaduna Interview Dates

Published

6 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Air Force Releases BMTC 46/2025 Shortlist, Fixes Kaduna Interview Dates

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the list of successful candidates for the Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 46/2025 selection board, marking the next phase of its ongoing NAF recruitment exercise for new airmen and airwomen.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, April 15, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, the shortlist comprises candidates who passed the Zonal General Aptitude Test conducted across 15 Nigerian Air Force bases on December 5, 2025.

The Air Force said only candidates whose names appear on the official recruitment portal have been selected to proceed to the next stage of the process.

Kaduna Selection Interview Begins April 27

NAF confirmed that all shortlisted candidates are invited for the Selection Board Interview for Trades and Non-Tradesmen/Women, scheduled to hold at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna.

READ ALSO:

The interview will run from April 27 to June 13, 2026, and candidates must report strictly according to their assigned batch schedules as published on the official portal.

The Air Force warned that failure to report on the specified dates will result in automatic disqualification from the recruitment process.

How to Check NAF BMTC 46/2025 Shortlist

Candidates are advised to visit the official NAF recruitment portal at https://nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng/updates/ to:

Confirm their inclusion on the BMTC 46/2025 shortlist
Check their assigned interview batches
Access official instructions for the next stage

NAF stressed that only information published on its official platform should be trusted.

NAF Warns Against Recruitment Fraud

The Nigerian Air Force reiterated that the entire NAF recruitment process is free of charge, warning applicants not to pay money to individuals or groups claiming to offer assistance.

It urged candidates to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities linked to recruitment scams.

About BMTC Recruitment

The Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) is the entry-level training programme for recruits into the Nigerian Air Force, designed to prepare successful candidates for military service as airmen and airwomen.

The ongoing BMTC 46/2025 recruitment exercise follows a structured process including online application, aptitude testing, and final selection interviews before enlistment.

Final Phase of Screening Begins

With the release of the shortlist, the recruitment exercise has entered its final phase, where candidates will undergo verification and interviews before final selection into the Force.

NAF urged all applicants to strictly follow official guidelines to avoid disqualification and ensure smooth participation in the selection process.