The Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected the latest increase in petrol prices, describing it as “avoidable and unacceptable” and calling for improved crude supply arrangements for domestic refineries.
NLC Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, said the increase would worsen the economic hardship faced by workers and low-income Nigerians, particularly through higher transportation and living costs.
“The latest increase is avoidable and unacceptable in light of falling prices in the international market and our local capacity to sell more crude oil to Dangote,” Upah said.
The reaction followed the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s latest adjustment of its petrol gantry price from N1,200 to N1,265 per litre on August 29. It was the refinery’s third increase in eight days, bringing the total rise to N100, or 8.6 percent.
The refinery had earlier raised its price from N1,165 to N1,185 on August 21 and then to N1,200 on August 26.
The latest increase has pushed up prices across the downstream market, with retail prices varying depending on location and distribution costs.
Upah questioned why Nigeria’s crude resources were not being used more effectively to support domestic refining and reduce pressure on petrol prices.
However, official data show that crude supply to Dangote remains a complex issue. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission said producers offered the refinery 68.1 million barrels of crude in the second quarter of 2026, against its requirement of 63 million barrels. The refinery accepted 52.6 million barrels.
Reuters also reported that about 30 to 40 per cent of the crude processed by Dangote is imported, with the refinery facing challenges related to the cost and terms of sourcing domestic crude.
The NLC said the latest petrol increase would further raise transportation and operating costs and worsen the pressure on Nigerians already struggling with high living costs.
The union is therefore calling for policies that improve domestic crude supply and refinery utilization, arguing that Nigerians should benefit more from the country’s crude production and growing refining capacity.
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