Nigeria

Abuja, September 21, 2026. The global surge in diesel and gasoline prices has a very concrete face in Nigeria: that of the tricycle whose fare has doubled and the minimum wage that is no longer enough. On Sunday, September 20, gasoline was selling for between 1,410 and 1,450 nairas per liter in several cities, compared to 1,265 nairas a month earlier, after an increase of 85 nairas in the ex-refinery price set by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which rose from 1,265 to 1,350 nairas per liter. Immediate consequence in Abuja: tricycles have increased their fares on several routes in the federal capital, from Gudu to Lokogoma the trip goes from 200 to 300 nairas, from Kabusa to Apo from 300 to 400, from Dutse to Tipper Garage from 400 to 500 nairas, reports Punch Nigeria.

Vanguard Nigeria's calculation is that of a salary that is dwindling: with a national minimum wage of 70,000 nairas per month, ten liters of gasoline at 1,430 nairas cost 14,300 nairas, "more than a fifth of a full monthly salary", even before rent, school or medical care. The newspaper insists, the question of fuel prices "can no longer be examined only from the point of view of deregulation, market forces" or the crude oil price, but first from the human point of view.

The regulator, the NMDPRA, disclaims any price fixing: "The Authority does not set pump prices and does not issue administrative tariffs," it recalled on September 19, citing the petroleum industry law which reserves any public intervention to cases of market failure "formally declared" — not observed to date. It promises in exchange enhanced surveillance against speculation, smuggling, and anti-competitive practices.

President Bola Tinubu proposes another way: accelerating the conversion to compressed natural gas. More than 120,000 vehicles have already been converted, more than 90 CNG stations opened, and 400 certified conversion centers, and governors are urged to pass on these savings to transport fares as of October 1. A sign that the market remains fragmented from one city to another, prices are falling at the same time in Calabar, Warri, and Port Harcourt — down to 1,330 nairas per liter — thanks to a more abundant Dangote offer outside of Lagos, where the liter remains firm around 1,350 nairas.