‘Why can’t Nigerians buy petrol for N441-N872 per litre like, UAE, Angola Sudi Arabia, others’ – Atiku questions Tinubu

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has questioned why petrol prices in Nigeria remain significantly higher than those in several other oil-producing countries.

Atiku, a former vice president, raised the issue in a statement issued by his media team on Tuesday, comparing Nigeria’s petrol prices with those in countries including Angola, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

He questioned why Nigeria could not sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at prices ranging from about N441 to N872 per litre, as is reportedly the case in some of the countries.

The former vice president’s comments came amid a recent increase in petrol prices across parts of Nigeria.

In the past two weeks, pump prices reportedly rose to between N1,310 and N1,345 per litre in Abuja and surrounding areas, with outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), MRS, Ranoil and other marketers adjusting their prices upward by between N20 and N80 per litre.

The development followed an increase in the gantry price of petrol by Dangote Refinery, which reportedly raised its price by N65 per litre.

Atiku said the increase had further compounded the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, particularly against the backdrop of the country’s N70,000 minimum wage.

He argued that Nigeria’s petrol price of nearly N1,400 per litre was difficult to justify when compared with countries whose citizens reportedly earn significantly higher incomes.

“For more than three years, Nigerians have endured punishing transport fares, soaring food prices, crippling energy costs and wages that buy less every month,” Atiku said.

He also questioned why Nigerians had been made to endure prolonged hardship before the government began talking about ensuring that economic growth translated into improvements in household welfare.

Atiku cited petrol prices in several oil-producing countries, putting Saudi Arabia at about N778 per litre, Kuwait at N872, Algeria at N475 and Angola at N441.

He added that petrol in the United Arab Emirates was also sold below Nigeria’s roughly N1,400 per litre, despite the UAE having significantly higher average incomes.

According to Atiku, the figures showed that oil-producing countries could use their natural-resource advantages to reduce the energy burden on citizens.

“These countries did not conclude that oil production requires punishing citizens at the pump. In different ways, they have used their natural-resource advantage to moderate the energy burden on their people,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria had failed to derive similar benefits from its oil resources, describing the situation as a reversal of the country’s natural advantage.

“Nigeria has turned that advantage upside down. Nigeria sells petrol at roughly N1,400 per litre and ranks around 164th,” Atiku stated.

His comments come amid an ongoing political debate over fuel pricing, subsidy policy and the broader impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms ahead of the 2027 general election.

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