House of Reps Warns Nigeria May Face Petrol Scarcity Within 48 Hours Over Supply Crisis
The House of Representatives has issued a strong warning that Nigeria may experience a nationwide petrol scarcity within the next 48 hours if urgent measures are not taken to address ongoing supply challenges.
The warning was given by the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) following its recent assessment of the country’s fuel distribution and supply chain.
According to the committee, critical issues within the petroleum sector could trigger a return of long fuel queues, disruptions in distribution, and a potential increase in petrol pump prices across the country.
One of the major concerns raised is the inadequate supply of crude oil to local refineries, particularly the Dangote Refinery, which has been identified as a key player in stabilising Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply. Lawmakers revealed that the refinery is currently operating below capacity due to insufficient crude allocation.
The committee further noted that the situation is worsened by the involvement of international intermediaries in crude oil transactions, forcing local refiners to purchase Nigerian crude at significantly higher prices. These additional costs, they warned, are ultimately transferred to consumers.
In addition, concerns were raised about the quality of crude being supplied to domestic refineries, with reports indicating that substandard grades are affecting refining efficiency and output.
The lawmakers stressed that the looming crisis is largely due to systemic inefficiencies rather than deliberate government policy, calling for immediate intervention to stabilise the sector.
To prevent the situation from escalating, the committee urged the Presidential Technical Committee on the crude-for-naira policy to urgently reconvene and resolve existing bottlenecks in crude supply and pricing.
They also called for strict enforcement of the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act to ensure that local refiners receive adequate supply.
While appealing to Nigerians to remain calm and avoid panic buying, the House warned that failure to act swiftly could lead to increased fuel prices, higher transportation costs, and further strain on the already pressured economy.
The development adds to growing concerns about Nigeria’s energy security, especially amid fluctuating global oil prices and ongoing economic challenges.
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