Nigeria, the largest oil producer in Africa, is once again gripped by a familiar crisis—fuel scarcity. For the past two weeks, the situation has worsened significantly, with motorists in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country spending countless hours in long queues at filling stations. Many stations have shut down entirely, forcing frustrated citizens to turn to the black market, where petrol prices have skyrocketed to as much as N1,200 per litre.
Fuel scarcity is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria. Despite being one of the world’s top oil producers, the country has been plagued by periodic shortages for decades. The current crisis is exacerbating the economic hardship already faced by Nigerians, many of whom are struggling with high inflation, unemployment, and a rising cost of living.
Black market booms With filling stations shutting out motorists during the day, the black market has become the only alternative for many. Allegations have surfaced that some filling stations are deliberately withholding fuel during regular hours, only to sell it at night to black marketers at exorbitant prices. The result is a thriving underground economy, where desperate motorists pay through the nose to keep their vehicles running.
“I’ve been here since 5 a.m., and it’s already noon.
I don’t know if I’ll even get fuel today,” lamented a frustrated Lagos resident, Bayo, who has spent days queuing for petrol. “If this continues, I might have to buy from the black market, b.