Fuel scarcity bites harder as marketers adjust pump price to N195 in Abuja, N185in Lagos - Newstrends
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Fuel scarcity bites harder as marketers adjust pump price to N195 in Abuja, N185in Lagos

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3 years ago

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• Supply dropped by 40% – IPMAN

It was confusion galore yesterday in the oil sector after Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) increased the price of petrol to N185 per litre while the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, denied any such increase.

He said mischief makers were the brains behind the claims of increase in the price of fuel.
Yet the fuel scarcity continued across the country amidst claims by the deputy president of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Zarma Mustapha, that petrol supply to marketers by private depots had dropped by about 40 per cent.

Mobil, Conoil, TotalEnergies, Nipco, Enyo, Forte and NORTH-WEST filling stations in Lagos adjusted their pump price early yesterday  to reflect N185 per litre against N169 previously.

Motorists in Lagos who had queued for several hours at the filling stations were shocked to see the adjusted price.

Some other major filling stations in Lagos metropolis, especially Ikeja and Agege areas, did not dispense fuel.

Some marketers, who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the federal government had begun the subsidy withdrawal, urging marketers to adjust their pump price.

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The marketers claimed that government might have commenced a gradual removal of petrol subsidy.

No fuel price increase, says Sylva

However, Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, denied any increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

He said in a statement through his Senior Adviser (Media & Communications), Horatius Egua, that President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any price increase for PMS.

His words: “President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any increase in the price of PMS or any other petroleum product for that matter. There is no reason for President Muhammadu Buhari to renege on his earlier promise not to approve any increase in the price of PMS at this time.

“Mr President is sensitive to the plight of the ordinary Nigerian and has said repeatedly that he understands the challenges of the ordinary Nigerian and would not want to cause untold hardship for the electorate.

“Government will not approve any increase of PMS secretly without due consultations with the relevant stakeholders.

“The President has not directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) or any agency for that matter to increase the price of fuel.

“This is not the time for any price increase in pump price of PMS.

“What is playing out is the handiwork of mischief makers and those planning to discredit the achievements of Mr President in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

“I appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and law abiding as the government is working hard to bring normalcy to fuel supply and distribution in the country.”

Other stakeholders feign ignorance of hike

Other critical stakeholders either feigned ignorance of the development or were out of reach to respond to reporters’ enquiries.

Several sources in the Nigeria Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA), the industry regulator, said they were not aware of any price increase.

NMDPRA’s spokesman, Kimchi Apollo, could also not be reached on his mobile phone for comments.

The Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Clement Isong’s mobile phone was also “not reachable.”

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The Chief Communications Officer, NNPCL, Garba Deen Muhammad, did not respond to the calls put through to him.

The National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Okonkwo, in a telephone chat with The Nation, said he was in the dark as to the directive leading to the price hike.

“We have not been communicated by any official or regulator on the N185 per litre petrol price, so we are also in the dark on this like every other Nigerian.

“Government has also not said anything about it openly. So I cannot comment on what I am not aware of. Mmaybe by Monday we will have a clearer picture of the development,” Okonkwo said.

The development has fueled speculations that the federal government may have subtly begun the removal of subsidy on petrol and by extension, a complete deregulation of the sector, which for long has been the clamour of both MOMAN and IPMAN.

In 2022, the federal government spent over N6 trillion on subsidy.

But Okonkwo said the sector remained regulated.

He said: “For us as IPMAN, we are still in the regime of subsidy. But I tell you, deregulation is the way to go on this matter.

“We should pray for the availability of the product, because when it is not available, you will be tempted to look for it in any way.

“The operating environment is very harsh even to NNPC, because they import the product and dollar is increasing in value against the naira. Everything around petrol is ‘dollarised’ even for charges that we pay for locally like NIMASA and NPA charges.

“All the other costs associated with petrol are also charged in dollar. Government needs to remove the dollar business around petrol especially for those we can do locally. When this is done, prices will also go down.”

Supply to oil marketers down by 40% – IPMAN

Speaking on Channels Television yesterday on the fuel scarcity, IPMAN deputy president, Zarma Mustapha, admitted that there was some confusion in the sector and independent marketers do not  “really understand what is going on.”

He also said supply to marketers by private depots has dropped by about 40 per cent.

The volume of petrol imported by NNPC, according to him, has been affecting ‘paucity of the funds’ of the federal government.

He said: “Because of that, the supply that we receive as marketers at the loading points, we believe we don’t get what we usually get – even 50 per cent of what we get.

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“Some [time] in July, August, the volume of liftings we had and what we have today has dropped by about 50 percent or 40 per cent.”

Mustapha added that the lingering presence of queues at fuel stations across the country could be due to the high cost of the subsidy.

“We are just assuming maybe the volume of the products they are bringing in – the more the volume, the more the cost of the subsidy.”

“It doesn’t seem that they are bringing in more. If they’re bringing in more, we would be having the same volume that we usually get at the loading point.

“As of today, with what is trending at the private depots, the volume available is not enough. The private depots also contribute by not giving the product as it is being regulated by the NNPC.”

The IPMAN deputy president said the regulatory body would be in the best position to answer the public and give details on why and how the price was adjusted to the new one.

“The price was not done to only appease the marketers but to ensure that the supply chain is being sustained, because the marketers are also in business and you can’t lift a product, resell it and you’re not making any returns on it, I don’t think anybody will continue to do that.

“We’re in a very dicey situation. NNPC imports, distributes to private depots and note that we independent marketers don’t have the depots as I am talking to you today, I brought the product from a depot in Lagos at N247 per litre to be transported down to far North at the cost of N50 to N60 per litre. Not the fancy prices we are seeing.

“Even we ourselves as independent marketers, we don’t understand what is really happening. We have raised our concerns to the regulatory bodies and have told them what we’re experiencing.

“We are supposed to get this product at N148 but we are buying at N220 and it keeps increasing.N240 in Lagos, N235 in Warri, N240 in Port Harcourt, in Calabar it is as high as N250 per litre for marketers, and you buy and transport yourself to where your retail outlet is.

“There is a lot of confusions in the industry, which the government must come in and address these confusions so that the common man can get the product for the approved price. We cannot buy the product between 220 to 240 naira, transport it for about N50, which is already N300, then expect the marketer to sell to the public for N200 or N190. It is not realisable.”

Stop fuel diversion, trucks hijack to end fuel scarcity, ANRPM tells FG

The Association of Nigeria refineries Petroleum Marketers (ANRPM) advised the federal government to check fuel diversion and hijack of trucks to end the current scarcity of fuel in some parts of the country.

It also cautioned marketers and distributors against engaging in petroleum products diversion and trucks hijacking.

South-West Zonal Chairman of the ANRPM, Hon Iwalewa Olatubosun, said in Akure yesterday that the association was ready to join the fight against products adulteration, pipeline vandalism, oil theft, illegal bunkering and sundry criminal activities in the oil sector

Olatubosun said the association would take stringent measures to ensuring that any of its members caught perpetrating the act would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The fuel scarcity persisted yesterday across the country.

The filling stations that had fuel sold at various prices ranging between N250 and N400 per litre.

Road side hawkers also kept exploiting motorists who could not afford to queue and buy at a  cheaper price.

Fuel was available in many parts of Edo State but at high prices.

A litre cost as much as N400 in Kaduna black markets.

 Lagos back-pedals on order restricting sales

The Lagos State Government withdrew its order stopping filling stations on the state’s highways from dispensing fuel by 4.00pm.

The government had on Thursday, ordered all filling stations on the state’s highways to operate between 9.00am and 4.00pm each day.

However, Transportation Commissioner, Frederic Oladeinde, in a statement yesterday said government had noticed the reactions generated by its directive to major and independent petroleum marketers operating on major roads.

He said the measure was to stop the traffic congestion that had resulted from their activities and that it was not to compound the hardship motorists and commuters had experienced because of the lingering fuel shortage.

“Following assurances from some of the offending filling stations, the 9am to 4pm restriction will no longer be enforced.

“For the avoidance of doubt, filling stations are not restricted from doing their business, but fuel marketers have a responsibility to ensure that their activities do not cause any disruption whatsoever to traffic flow. It is against the law to impede the free flow of traffic on our roads.

“Traffic Management Agencies have been directed to invoke the law should any marketer be found to have allowed queues on its premises spill onto major roads in a disorderly manner that impedes traffic flow,” Oladeinde said.

The Nation

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Russian airstrike kills Nigerian medical student days before graduation in Ukraine

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4 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

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Russian airstrike kills Nigerian medical student days before graduation in Ukraine

Russian airstrike kills Nigerian medical student days before graduation in Ukraine

A promising young Nigerian’s dream of becoming a medical doctor has been tragically cut short after Nnani Adaobi Marian, a 23-year-old final-year student of Kharkiv National Medical University (KNMU), died from injuries sustained in a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, just days before her graduation.

Marian died on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at a specialist hospital in Germany, where she had been receiving intensive medical treatment after suffering catastrophic injuries during a Russian aerial bombardment on June 29.

The Nigerian student had travelled to Kharkiv with her close friend, Fatima Huseynova, for their graduation ceremony after both had continued their studies remotely from Azerbaijan following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The two friends were reportedly on their way to a graduation photoshoot on June 29 when Russian forces launched a guided aerial bomb attack on Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district.

Huseynova was killed instantly in the explosion, while Marian sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Kharkiv before being transferred to Germany for advanced treatment.

Despite the efforts of medical teams in both Ukraine and Germany, Marian succumbed to her injuries nearly a week later.

The graduation ceremony was scheduled for June 30, making the tragedy all the more heartbreaking for her family, classmates and lecturers.

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In a statement confirming her death, Kharkiv National Medical University described Marian as one of its brightest and most dedicated students.

“As a result of enemy shelling, Nnani Adaobi Marian was seriously injured. Doctors fought for her life until the last moment, first in Kharkiv and later in Germany. Everyone sympathised, helped and hoped for her recovery, but unfortunately, despite the doctors’ efforts, they could not save her,” the university said.

The institution said Marian enrolled in the university in 2020 and distinguished herself through academic excellence, compassion and commitment to the medical profession.

According to the university, she participated in international medical training programmes at the University of Cambridge in 2024 and Biruni University in Türkiye in 2025, where she further developed her clinical skills and contributed to scientific research.

The university described her as “bright, sincere and kind-hearted,” noting that she was admired for her humility, strong work ethic and unwavering passion for helping others.

Family members disclosed that Marian suffered devastating injuries during the attack, including severe burns, multiple shrapnel wounds, significant eye injuries and the amputation of one leg.

She was reportedly treated for burns covering about 90 per cent of her body before doctors transferred her to Germany in a last effort to save her life.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the June 29 bombardment formed part of a wider wave of Russian attacks targeting the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

The attacks reportedly killed at least 14 civilians and injured 98 others, highlighting the continuing humanitarian consequences of the more than four-year Russia-Ukraine war.

Marian’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief across Nigeria and within the international academic community, with tributes describing her as an exceptionally gifted student whose lifelong ambition of becoming a doctor was cruelly interrupted just days before graduation.

The tragedy has also renewed concerns about the safety and welfare of international students studying in conflict zones, as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.

For many Nigerians following the war, Marian’s death has become a poignant reminder of the devastating human cost of armed conflict and the countless lives and aspirations that continue to be lost far from home.

Russian airstrike kills Nigerian medical student days before graduation in Ukraine

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ICYMI: How to Apply for 2026 FRSC Recruitment Successfully

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5 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

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ICYMI: How to Apply for 2026 FRSC Recruitment Successfully

ICYMI: How to Apply for 2026 FRSC Recruitment Successfully

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has officially commenced its 2026 recruitment exercise, opening applications for qualified Nigerians seeking employment in the Corps across the Officer, Marshal Inspectorate (MI) and Road Marshal Assistant (RMA) cadres.

The recruitment portal opened on Friday, July 3, 2026, and applications will remain open for four weeks through the official FRSC recruitment portal.

The Corps has emphasised that the recruitment exercise is completely free, warning applicants against paying money to individuals or organisations claiming to offer employment or recruitment assistance.

Prospective applicants are advised to carefully read the eligibility criteria and prepare all required documents before beginning the online registration process.

Who is eligible for the 2026 FRSC recruitment?

To qualify for the 2026 FRSC recruitment, applicants must satisfy the Corps’ general entry requirements.

Applicants must:

  • Be Nigerian citizens by birth.
  • Be medically, physically and psychologically fit.
  • Be of good character and free from any criminal conviction.
  • Not belong to any secret cult or fraternity.
  • Possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
  • Meet the minimum height requirement of 1.65 metres for males and 1.58 metres for females.
  • Possess the minimum academic qualification required for the cadre they intend to apply for.

Applicants who fail to meet these requirements may be disqualified during screening.

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Cadres available in the 2026 FRSC recruitment

The Corps has opened recruitment into three major categories.

Officer Cadre

This category is designed for graduates and professionals with qualifications such as B.Sc., BA, HND, MBBS, LLB, B.Pharm, B.Eng. and other recognised degrees.

Applicants must possess a valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate and be between 18 and 35 years of age.

Marshal Inspectorate (MI) Cadre

Candidates with ND, NCE, Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Midwife (RM), Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) and other recognised health-related qualifications are eligible.

Applicants must be 18 to 30 years old.

Road Marshal Assistant (RMA) Cadre

The Road Marshal Assistant category is open to applicants with WAEC, NECO or NABTEB qualifications.

Candidates are expected to possess between three and five O’Level credits, depending on the position, including English Language and Mathematics where required.

Drivers, riders and artisans—including mechanics, electricians, welders, plumbers, tailors and other skilled workers—may also apply provided they possess the relevant trade certificates and valid driver’s licence where applicable.

Heavy-duty truck drivers may be considered up to 40 years of age.

Documents required for FRSC recruitment

Before beginning the application, applicants should have the following documents ready:

  • National Identification Number (NIN)
  • Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age
  • Local Government Certificate of Origin
  • Primary and secondary school certificates
  • Tertiary institution certificates (where applicable)
  • NYSC discharge or exemption certificate
  • Professional licences (where applicable)
  • Trade Test Certificate (for artisans)
  • Valid driver’s licence (for drivers)
  • Recent passport photograph
  • Valid email address
  • Active mobile phone number

Step-by-step guide to apply for 2026 FRSC recruitment

Step 1: Visit the official recruitment portal

Go to the official FRSC recruitment portal at:

https://recruitment.frsc.gov.ng

Applicants are advised to avoid unofficial websites and recruitment agents.

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Step 2: Create an account

Register using your:

  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • National Identification Number (NIN)

Create a secure password for your account.

Step 3: Verify your email

After registration, check your email inbox and click the activation link sent by the FRSC to verify your account.

Step 4: Complete the online application form

Log into the portal and provide accurate information, including:

  • Personal details
  • Educational qualifications
  • Employment history (where applicable)
  • Contact information
  • Next-of-kin details
  • Referee information

Applicants are advised to ensure all details correspond with their official documents.

Step 5: Upload required documents

Upload scanned copies of all requested credentials and a recent passport photograph.

Ensure the documents are clear, readable and meet the portal’s upload specifications.

Step 6: Review and submit your application

Carefully review every section of the application before submission.

Once satisfied, click the Submit button.

Step 7: Print your acknowledgement slip

Immediately print your completed application form and acknowledgement slip after submission.

The documents will be required during the Computer-Based Test (CBT), physical screening and credential verification for shortlisted candidates.

FRSC warns against recruitment fraud

The Federal Road Safety Corps has reiterated that the recruitment exercise is entirely free of charge.

Applicants have been advised not to pay money to anyone claiming to facilitate employment into the Corps.

The FRSC also urged candidates to use only their personal email addresses and telephone numbers throughout the recruitment process, as all official notifications—including CBT invitations, screening schedules and shortlisting updates—will be communicated through the contact details provided during registration.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to complete their applications before the portal closes and regularly monitor the official recruitment portal for updates.

ICYMI: How to Apply for 2026 FRSC Recruitment Successfully

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Falana Slams Police Over Arrest of Alleged PFIPC Boss’ Father, Calls Action Illegal

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5 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

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Falana Slams Police Over Arrest of Alleged PFIPC Boss' Father, Calls Action Illegal

Falana Slams Police Over Arrest of Alleged PFIPC Boss’ Father, Calls Action Illegal

The controversy surrounding the alleged fake Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council (PFIPC) has taken a new turn after operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) reportedly arrested the father of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, the man facing criminal charges over his alleged role as the council’s Director-General.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, described the arrest as unlawful, insisting that Nigerian law does not permit the arrest of relatives in place of criminal suspects.

Falana disclosed on Monday that police officers stormed the Adeniyi family residence at Plot 3, Adeniyi Dynasty, behind Technical College, Road Safety Area, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, where they arrested Adeniyi’s father during a raid.

According to him, a family friend who had visited the residence on Monday morning was also taken into custody.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Falana questioned the legal basis for the operation, maintaining that the suspect had already undertaken to appear before the court.

“Police have now stormed the house of the parents of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, Plot 3, Adeniyi Dynasty, behind Technical College, Road Safety Area, Ogbomoso.

“The father has been arrested. There is no legal basis for substituted arrests. The young man has promised to show up in court, so why arrest his father?” Falana said.

Eyewitnesses in the area reportedly said the officers arrived in multiple vehicles before taking the elderly man away. Residents also claimed the operation caused panic within the neighbourhood, while Adeniyi’s elderly mother was left distressed by the incident.

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As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued any official statement explaining the arrests.

The latest development adds another layer to the controversy surrounding the Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council (PFIPC), an organisation the Presidency has maintained is not a legally recognised government agency.

Prince Adeniyi is currently facing criminal charges, including forgery, impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, and other related offences.

Federal authorities allege that he falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council using forged appointment letters and official documents to project the PFIPC as a legitimate federal institution.

However, Adeniyi has denied the allegations, insisting that his appointment was genuine and that he will defend himself before the court.

Falana has consistently argued that allegations against Adeniyi should be determined strictly through the judicial process. The senior lawyer recently maintained that the Presidency lacks constitutional powers to declare anyone guilty or innocent of criminal allegations, stressing that such decisions remain the exclusive responsibility of the courts.

He also warned against actions capable of intimidating parties connected to the case while proceedings remain before the court.

Beyond the criminal trial, the controversy has triggered broader questions about how the alleged council reportedly operated for months.

Falana has called for an independent investigation into claims that the organisation maintained offices within the Federal Secretariat, allegedly operated bank accounts, interacted with public institutions and even appeared in the 2026 Federal Budget, despite government officials insisting that the council never legally existed.

The senior lawyer has also urged authorities to identify any public officials who may have facilitated the activities of the alleged organisation.

On its part, the Presidency has distanced itself from the PFIPC, describing the organisation as fictitious while directing security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the police, to investigate everyone connected with the alleged scheme.

The criminal case against Adeniyi remains before the court, with no judicial determination yet made on the allegations.

The reported arrest of his father has, however, introduced a fresh legal and human rights dimension to a case that continues to generate national attention.

Falana Slams Police Over Arrest of Alleged PFIPC Boss’ Father, Calls Action Illegal

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