For many Nigerians, Christmas has always carried a unique burden. It is a season often defined by more than festivities and family reunions; for years, it has meant battling endless fuel queues snaking around petrol stations. People slept in their cars, skipped work, and endured scorching sun or pouring rain, all for the chance to secure enough fuel to see them through holiday travel.
“The problem is no longer about availability but affordability—a shift that has reshaped plans, priorities, and expectations.”
But December 2024 paints a different picture. The notorious fuel queues are largely gone, replaced by a more insidious problem: skyrocketing fuel prices. The new reality has left Nigerians pondering an unsettling question—what is the true cost of progress when one hardship merely morphs into another?
From queues to quiet despair
In years past, the sight of long lines at petrol stations became as much a part of Christmas in Nigeria as fireworks and festive jollof rice. Social media turned these hardships into gallows humour, with memes joking that a jerry can of petrol would make the perfect Christmas gift. Beneath the humour lay a deeper frustration, as Nigerians grappled with an annual ordeal seemingly immune to government interventions.
The infamous Christmas queues of 2017 are etched in the collective memory. Despite repeated assurances from officials, petrol shortages forced motorists to wait hours or even days for fuel. By 2020 and 2022, the chaos returned, accompanied by rising transport fares and growing public anger. People came to accept fuel scarcity as an unwelcome Christmas tradition.
This year, however, there are no queues. The pumps flow freely, but the relief is bittersweet. Petrol prices have soared to unprecedented levels, fundamentally altering how Nigerians approach the festive season. The problem is no longer about availability but affordability—a shift that has reshaped plans, priorities, and expectations.
The high cost of Christmas
For many families, travelling home for Christmas is a cherished tradition, a time to reconnect with loved ones and maintain bonds with their ancestral roots. But this year, soaring fuel prices are forcing difficult decisions.
Chukwuka, a dispatch rider in Lagos, speaks with quiet resignation. “I wanted to take my kids to the village to see their grandparents, but the cost of fuel makes it impossible. We’re staying in the city this year, even though it breaks my heart.”
Others, like Collins Owenu, are reluctantly scaling back their plans. “I’ve travelled to the East with my kids every year,” he explains, “but with transport fares as they are, I’ll most likely travel alone. Even that will cost me over ₦200,000 for a round trip, and that’s if nothing else goes wrong.”
The ripple effects extend beyond transportation. Food prices, already on an upward trajectory, have climbed even higher due to increased logistics costs. Household budgets are stretched thin, forcing many Nigerians to forego non-essentials or opt for scaled-down celebrations. For many, the season of joy has become a time of sacrifice and compromise.
The paradox of petroleum wealth
Nigeria’s fuel crisis underscores a glaring paradox. Despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer, the country relies heavily on imported refined petroleum products. This dependency leaves Nigeria vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices and exchange rates, a reality that continues to strain the economy.
In 2023, Nigeria produced over 1.4 million barrels of crude oil daily, according to Statista. Yet this abundance has failed to translate into meaningful benefits for ordinary citizens. Efforts to rehabilitate domestic refineries have languished for decades, leaving the nation at the mercy of global markets.
The situation reflects deeper systemic failures. Decades of mismanagement, corruption, and policy inconsistency have created an energy sector incapable of meeting Nigeria’s needs. Attempts to deregulate the downstream oil sector have been met with mixed results, often leading to price hikes that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.
Adapting to a new reality
In typical Nigerian fashion, people are finding ways to adapt. For many, this means embracing simpler celebrations and focusing on the intangible joys of the season—togetherness, gratitude, and hope. Yet, beneath the resilience lies a growing sense of unease.
“How long can we keep adjusting?” asks Rita, a small business owner in Abuja. “Every year, it feels like we’re asked to give up more, to endure more. At some point, something has to change.”
This sentiment is shared by millions who see the high fuel prices as emblematic of broader economic struggles. Inflation remains stubbornly high, wages lag behind rising costs, and the naira continues to weaken. For many, the festive season has become a reminder not of abundance but of scarcity.
What lies ahead?
The current situation demands systemic change. Expanding Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity is no longer just an economic imperative—it is a matter of national security. By reducing reliance on imported fuel, the government can stabilise prices and insulate the economy from external shocks. The ongoing rehabilitation of refineries must be expedited, and new investments in energy infrastructure should prioritise efficiency and sustainability.
In addition, policies that make fuel both available and affordable must go hand in hand with broader economic reforms. Subsidy removal, for instance, cannot be implemented in isolation. Without complementary measures to cushion its impact, such as improved public transportation and targeted social welfare programs, the burden will continue to fall disproportionately on the poor.
Finally, transparency and accountability must become the cornerstones of Nigeria’s energy sector. The public deserves to know how their resources are managed and what steps are being taken to address long-standing inefficiencies.
A season of resilience
For now, Nigerians are doing what they do best: finding joy despite the challenges. Families are gathering in smaller groups, cooking creatively to stretch limited budgets, and focusing on what truly matters—each other. The season may be marked by hardship, but it is also a testament to the resilience that defines Nigeria’s spirit.
Yet, resilience is not a substitute for progress. As the nation looks ahead, the question remains: how much longer can Nigerians endure a system that asks so much and gives so little in return? The answer lies not in adapting to the status quo but in demanding the systemic changes needed to build a more equitable and sustainable future.
This Christmas, as the lights twinkle and carols fill the air, many will reflect on the sacrifices they’ve made to celebrate. But they will also dream of a time when the burden of the season is lifted—not just for themselves but for generations to come.
Oluwatobi Ojabello, senior economic analyst at BusinessDay, holds a BSc and an MSc in Economics as well as a PhD (in view) in Economics (Covenant, Ota).
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