Aishah Waliyullah and Grace Adeleke
Nigerians have taken to social media to express anger, disbelief and cautious defence following reports that the Dangote Refinery has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to about ₦1,175 per litre.
The development, which surfaced online over the weekend, triggered widespread debate among citizens who fear the increase could worsen the already rising cost of living across the country.
Many Nigerians said they had expected the refinery—widely regarded as Africa’s largest—to help bring down fuel prices and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Reacting to the development, several social media users expressed frustration that the anticipated relief from local refining had yet to materialise.
One user posted a clown-faced image in response to earlier optimism that the refinery would significantly reduce petrol prices, suggesting that the expectation of cheaper fuel had not been fulfilled.
Another commenter questioned why petrol prices would rise despite Nigeria being one of the world’s major crude oil producers.
“Where is the crude oil coming from? Nigeria produces crude, yet petrol keeps getting more expensive,” the user wrote.
Public affairs commentator Daniel Regha also weighed in on the controversy, arguing that while the refinery’s owner is a businessman driven by profit, government authorities should bear greater responsibility for the situation.
According to him, years of neglect of government-owned refineries have contributed to the country’s vulnerability in the petroleum sector.
“The people to blame the most are our so-called leaders who have refused to fix any government-owned refineries,” he wrote, describing the situation as the consequence of long-standing policy failures.
Some Nigerians also warned that the growing dominance of a single private refinery in the domestic market could create a monopoly capable of influencing prices.
Others highlighted the likely ripple effect of the increase on transportation fares, food prices and other essential goods.
A few users, however, argued that global oil market dynamics and geopolitical conflicts can still influence domestic fuel prices even when the product is refined locally.
Some commentators also compared Nigeria’s petrol price with that of the United States, where petrol sells for about four dollars per gallon, though critics of the comparison noted that the economic realities of both countries differ significantly, particularly in terms of income levels and purchasing power.
The latest development has reignited debate about Nigeria’s energy security, the role of private refineries in stabilising fuel supply and the need for clearer government policies on petroleum pricing.
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