Nigeria’s Petrol May Be Cheaper, but ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Buys Only 50 Litres

Some APC-aligned accounts have highlighted Nigeria’s relatively low petrol price in West Africa. But pump prices alone do not show what workers can actually afford. My comparison of current fuel prices and statutory minimum wages across the region shows that Nigeria has the second-cheapest petrol, behind Niger. Yet Nigeria’s minimum wage ranks near the bottom among countries with comparable national wage floors. At current pump prices of about ₦1,395 to ₦1,450 per litre, a ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage buys roughly 48 to 50 litres of petrol. In Niger, a monthly minimum wage of 42,000 CFA buys about 84 litres at its lower pump price. The more meaningful measure is purchasing power. For many Nigerian workers, petrol may be comparatively cheap on paper, but it remains costly relative to their income.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.