“There Was a Time Nigerians Were Ready to Pay N10,000 Per Litre, Yet Fuel Was Not Available” — Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with ongoing economic reforms, stating that recent changes in the petroleum sector are beginning to yield visible results.

Speaking on the current state of fuel supply, Akpabio contrasted the present situation with a period of acute scarcity, when motorists struggled to access petrol despite being willing to pay extremely high prices.

He said long queues stretching several kilometres, once common at filling stations, have largely disappeared. According to him, there were instances when Nigerians were prepared to pay as much as N10,000 per litre, yet fuel remained unavailable.

Akpabio attributed the improved supply to policy measures introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the liberalisation of the downstream oil sector and increased private sector involvement.

He noted that collaboration with private investors has strengthened local refining capacity, reducing reliance on fuel imports and contributing to more stable distribution nationwide. He added that Nigeria is now not only meeting domestic demand but also exporting refined products.

The Senate President acknowledged ongoing concerns about fuel prices, inflation, and the rising cost of living. However, he maintained that the reforms are necessary for long-term economic stability and growth.

He urged Nigerians to adopt a broader perspective, expressing confidence that the full benefits of the policies will become more evident over time.