The recent hike in fuel prices across Nigeria has placed immense pressure on citizens, particularly workers, with many now forced to make difficult decisions to cope. This year, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) raised petrol prices twice, pushing costs to N950 in Lagos and over N1,000 in other states, causing a spike in transportation expenses and market prices. As a result, many Nigerian workers have resigned from their jobs or opted to sleep at work to save on transportation costs.
Workers like Mr. Dotun Owoyemi, who earns a five-figure salary, lament that transportation costs have more than tripled, forcing him to resign from his job on Lagos Island. Similarly, Miss Sandra Douglas from Port Harcourt and Mrs. Dorcas Chukwuma, a midwife from Marina, shared that the rising costs of commuting have made it unsustainable for them to continue working, as they struggle to cover basic living expenses.
Many workers are now seeking jobs closer to home, hoping to cut down on transportation costs. For instance, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, who works in Lekki, has started sleeping in his office on weekdays to avoid spending over N4,000 daily on transportation. He explained that salary adjustments in private companies are unlikely, given the current economic strain businesses are facing.
The widespread resignations and lifestyle changes reflect the harsh impact of government policies on the everyday lives of Nigerians. Citizens are now questioning the government's approach, fearing that the country is spiraling into deeper poverty as fuel prices rise, costs of goods surge, and the economy struggles to stabilize.
Source: Vanguard
