Odita Sunday 
Fuel Price Hike Sparks Outrage As HURIWA Demands Urgent Presidential Intervention
By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the latest increase in petrol prices nationwide, describing it as a “brutal economic assault” on Nigerians and calling for immediate intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued on April 30 and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group decried what it termed an “insensitive and economically destructive decision” that has worsened the hardship faced by citizens already grappling with a rising cost of living.
HURIWA linked the latest price surge to an increase in gantry prices by the Dangote Refinery, noting that petrol now sells between ₦1,365 and ₦1,370 per litre in Abuja, with marketers swiftly adjusting pump prices. The group argued that the rapid changes highlight the absence of effective regulatory safeguards to protect consumers from exploitation.
Describing the development as more than a routine adjustment, HURIWA warned that the hike would have “immediate and devastating consequences,” including the collapse of small businesses and a surge in unemployment.
It said operators in the informal sector such as artisans, transporters, and petty traders face the risk of shutting down due to increased operating costs.
The association further criticised Nigeria’s paradox as a major crude oil producer with soaring domestic fuel prices, dismissing justifications tied to global crude oil fluctuations and geopolitical tensions as inadequate.
It accused industry players of leveraging international developments to impose undue burdens on citizens.
HURIWA also raised concerns over what it described as potential monopolistic tendencies in the downstream petroleum sector, accusing the refinery of exploiting market conditions to increase prices without sufficient transparency.
The group expressed disappointment over what it called the Federal Government’s silence, warning that continued inaction could deepen public frustration and erode trust in governance.
It urged the President to urgently introduce price stabilisation measures, strengthen regulatory oversight, and ensure that no private entity exploits Nigerians under the guise of market forces.
The group also called for a transparent audit of petroleum pricing structures and policies that prioritise citizens’ welfare over corporate interests.
HURIWA warned that Nigeria risks “a dangerous tipping point” if urgent steps are not taken, stressing that sustained fuel price increases could push millions further into poverty and worsen socio-economic instability.
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