FUEL HIKE BITES HARD AS NIGERIANS DEMAND URGENT FG INTERVENTION OVER RISING FOOD, SERVICE COSTS

A sharp rise in fuel prices has triggered widespread increases in the cost of food, goods, and services across Nigeria’s capital, sparking fresh calls for urgent Federal Government intervention.

Findings from a market survey across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reveal that the surge in petrol prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East has significantly driven up transportation and production costs, with the burden now transferred to consumers.

In Abuja’s major markets, the impact has been stark. A basket of tomatoes, previously sold between ₦9,000 and ₦10,000, now goes for as high as ₦35,000, while a bag of onions has jumped to between ₦40,000 and ₦45,000 from earlier prices of ₦15,000–₦25,000.

Staples have not been spared. Prices of yams, beans, and sweet potatoes have surged sharply, with some items nearly doubling in cost within weeks, compounding the financial strain on households already grappling with inflation.

The ripple effects extend beyond food. Sachet water distributors, ice block sellers, and small business operators report increased production costs driven by higher diesel prices and erratic power supply, forcing them to raise prices to stay afloat.

Residents say the situation is becoming unbearable. Many households now spend significantly more on basic needs, with some warning of a steady decline in living standards as wages fail to keep pace with rising costs.

Small business owners and traders have also raised concerns over soaring transportation costs, with some noting that haulage expenses for goods have tripled in recent weeks, further worsening market prices.

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Across board, citizens are urging the Federal Government to act swiftly calling for measures to stabilise fuel prices, improve electricity supply, and cushion the economic impact on vulnerable Nigerians.

With inflationary pressures intensifying, the latest surge underscores the fragile link between energy costs and everyday survival in Africa’s largest economy.

(NAN)