Stakeholders from civil society, organised labour, and the energy sector have raised fresh concerns over the rising cost of energy in Nigeria, calling for urgent government intervention to address the growing economic hardship facing citizens.
The call was made during a roundtable dialogue held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Crispan Hotel in Jos, convened by Equity International Initiative and CYPA Africa in partnership with organised labour groups.
The meeting brought together policy experts, development stakeholders, industry players, and citizens to deliberate on the impact of rising fuel, electricity, and energy-related costs on livelihoods, productivity, and national stability.
Participants noted that although global oil market disruptions have contributed to increased energy prices, Nigeria’s situation is largely driven by structural challenges, including weak governance systems, policy inconsistencies, poor regulation, exchange rate instability, and infrastructure deficits.
They described as paradoxical the fact that Nigeria, despite being a major crude oil producer, continues to grapple with high fuel prices, rising transportation costs, inflation, and declining purchasing power.
The roundtable identified energy costs as a major driver of inflation, affecting food prices, production costs, and the survival of small and medium-scale enterprises. It warned that stagnant incomes amid rising costs are worsening poverty levels across the country.
Stakeholders emphasized that energy should be treated as a critical social and economic necessity rather than just a market commodity, stressing that the current pricing regime has failed to deliver a transparent and competitive market.
They called for urgent reforms, including strengthening domestic refining capacity, improving local production systems, addressing logistics challenges, and reducing dependence on foreign exchange-driven pricing.
The communiqué issued at the end of the meeting outlined key recommendations, including improved transparency in the petroleum value chain, targeted relief measures for citizens and businesses, investment in public transportation, and support for local refining initiatives.
Participants also urged the government to review licenses of non-performing refineries, ensure crude supply to local refineries, and reserve a portion of refined products for domestic consumption to stabilize prices.
In addition, the meeting called for stronger regulatory oversight to prevent exploitation in the downstream sector, as well as fiscal support measures such as tax relief for production and manufacturing companies affected by rising operational costs.
Speaking after the event, Secretary General of the West African Civil Society Forum, James Ugochukwu, said Nigeria’s high fuel prices remain unjustifiable given its status as an oil-producing nation.
He described the current situation as “high pressure” on citizens, urging the government to act on the recommendations and ensure reforms that benefit the wider population rather than a privileged few.
Also speaking, Chris Iyama, highlighted the disconnect between rising living costs and stagnant wages, noting that many Nigerian workers can no longer meet basic needs due to escalating energy expenses.
He called on government officials to demonstrate sacrifice by cutting the cost of governance, stressing that citizens should not bear the burden alone.
Other contributors at the roundtable included labour representatives such as Comrade Kenneth Shama, Dr. Steve Aluko, and Gad Shamaki.
The participants concluded that Nigeria’s energy crisis is not only an economic issue but also a governance and social justice challenge, requiring coordinated national action to ensure affordability, sustainability, and improved living standards for citizens.
