The ongoing changes in government policies, particularly the recent surge in fuel pump prices, have continued to take a heavy toll on Nigerians. This year alone, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has increased petrol prices twice, from N617 to N855, and N950 in Lagos State, while in some other states, the price has surged to over N1,000 per litre within just two weeks in September.
These price hikes have had a ripple effect, significantly driving up the cost of goods and transportation across the country. In response, many Nigerians have been forced to adopt different strategies for survival. However, the most recent fuel price increase has had a particularly harsh impact on Nigerian workers, leading some to either resign from their jobs or resort to sleeping at their workplaces to save on transportation costs, which are eating deep into their salaries.
According to a report by Vanguard, the high cost of transportation is making it difficult for workers to cope financially. Mr. Dotun Owoyemi, an employee who works on Lagos Island but lives on the mainland, expressed his frustration.
He explained that before the fuel price hikes, he used to spend N800 daily commuting to and from work. Now, his daily transportation costs have skyrocketed to between N2,500 and N3,000. Owoyemi noted that commercial bus drivers have also increased fares drastically, with previously N200 routes now costing N500, and N100 routes going for N300.
Earning a modest five-figure salary, Owoyemi lamented that nearly half of his monthly earnings are now spent on transportation. “This is not funny at all,” he said, noting that the N70,000 minimum wage is not being implemented across private organizations.
He ultimately resigned from his job, stating that the fuel price increases benefit only a few, while salary earners struggle. Owoyemi added that businesses have also raised the prices of goods, blaming the increased fuel costs, making survival even harder for many. He is now searching for a job closer to his home to reduce transport expenses.
Miss Sandra Douglas, another worker affected by the fuel price hike, shared a similar experience. Living in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, and working in King Perekule, GRA, she resigned after realizing she was spending N52,000 per month on transportation, while her salary was less than N100,000. Despite working, she found it difficult to even feed herself.
Mrs. Dorcas Chukwuma, a midwife who previously worked at a private hospital in Marina, also resigned due to the high cost of transportation. She explained that four of her colleagues did the same. “Living on the mainland and working on the Island is no longer feasible, especially since transportation costs have tripled,” she said.
Chukwuma also pointed out that the cost of food and other services has increased alongside transportation expenses. She is now seeking employment at a hospital closer to home, where transportation costs won’t consume her entire salary.
Chukwuma criticized the government for failing to consider the masses when introducing policies like fuel price hikes, which she said have only deepened poverty in the country. She warned that the situation is pushing more people into hardship, with some resorting to begging, while families are increasingly unable to support themselves.
In another case, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, who works in Lekki but lives in Abule Ado, revealed that he now sleeps in his office during the week to cut transportation costs. Following the fuel price hike, his daily commute cost jumped from N2,000 to N4,000, despite his monthly salary being less than N100,000. “I started sleeping in the office on weekdays and only go home on weekends,” he explained.
Ayeni pointed out that private companies, which are also struggling to cope with the country’s economic policies, cannot afford to raise salaries. He added that even if the N70,000 minimum wage were implemented across private organizations, many workers would still lose their jobs due to the financial strain on these companies.
He concluded by expressing doubt that any company could fully withstand the harsh effects of these economic policies.
