Adeyanju slams sudden fuel price hike, alleges monopoly exploitation

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has condemned the recent increase in the pump price of fuel by businessman Aliko Dangote, describing it as exploitative and harmful to Nigerians.

Adeyanju criticised the price hike, which he said exceeds 100 per cent, attributing it to tensions in the Gulf region linked to the war in Iran. He argued that the justification for the increase is flawed, noting that the Dangote Refinery sources crude oil locally and purchases it in naira following approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to supply crude domestically.

According to him, the refined products currently being distributed were processed before the recent escalation of hostilities in the Gulf, raising questions about why Nigerians should bear additional costs tied to external events that did not impact the production of existing stock.

Adeyanju further alleged that the refinery’s near-monopoly status has left the government either unwilling or unable to intervene, describing the situation as unjust and burdensome on already struggling citizens.