FIJ
In this FIJ report, Abimbola Abatta examines the various methods through which Nigerians are mitigating the consequences of the removal of fuel subsidy. The article also sheds light on the challenges faced in implementing these alternative approaches.
When President Bola Tinubu boldly said “Fuel subsidy is gone” during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, Ayoola Yusuf, a fashion designer from Ogun State, was taken aback. Little did he know what awaited him — petrol prices reaching N500 per litre and beyond.
“It came as a rude shock. I went from buying a litre of petrol between N185 and N195 to buying at more than double the previous price,” Yusuf told FIJ.
Yusuf, like many other Nigerians, relies on electricity to power his fashion design business, which entails using industrial machines, pressing irons and other equipment.
Before the fuel subsidy was removed, he could fuel his generator with 30 litres of petrol for N5,550 at the rate of N185 per litre, but immediately after the subsidy was lifted, he found himself paying N15,000 for the same amount of fuel at N500 per litre. Considering the power requirements of his appliances, this was an unsustainable situation.
With many other Nigerians forced to adjust to this new reality of high fuel prices, Yusuf is not alone. Wasiu Fagbohun sells phones and phone accessories in Ogun State. And he also relies on a generator to power his shop in Ijebu Ode.
GAS-POWERED GENERATORS TO THE RESCUE
When the exorbitant cost of petrol was no longer sustainable for Yusuf and Fagbohun, they decided to explore an alternative solution: converting their petrol generators to cooking gas-powered systems.
How did the duo do it? They bought a carburettor each and had their engineers fix the gadget to their generators towards the end of June 2023. The carburettor, attached to a cooking gas cylinder, became their saving grace.
At the time Yusuf and Fagbohun bought their carburettors last month, they paid N35,000 each.
“I have heard about the use of carburettor and gas to power generators years before now, but due to the high cost of gas at the time, I did not switch. When the government removed the fuel subsidy, I had to think of alternatives,” said Fagbohun.
