Recent government policy changes, particularly the sharp increase in fuel prices, are taking a toll on Nigerians.
This year alone, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has raised petrol prices twice, escalating costs from N617 to N855, and even over N1,000 in some states within just two weeks in September.
As transportation costs rise, many Nigerians are struggling to cope. Workers have begun resigning from their jobs or opting to sleep at their workplaces to save on commuting expenses, as their salaries can no longer cover the soaring transportation costs.
Mr. Dotun Owoyemi, a worker who commutes from the mainland to the Island, expressed his frustration.
“I used to spend N800 daily on transportation. Now it’s N2,500 to N3,000. Commercial drivers have increased fares drastically—N200 is now N500, and N100 has jumped to N300. I earn a five-figure salary, and almost half of it goes to transportation. I had to resign because the N70,000 minimum wage isn’t realistic for many private sectors. This fuel price hike benefits only a few, not the salary earners.”
Miss Sandra Douglas shared her experience: “I resigned after spending N52,000 a month on transport for a job that paid less than N100,000. I couldn’t even feed myself.”
Mrs. Dorcas Chukwuma, a midwife, added, “I left my job at a private hospital due to high transport costs. I wasn’t the only one; four of us resigned.
The trip from the mainland to the Island has become unbearable, with costs skyrocketing. I’m now looking for work closer to home to avoid spending my entire salary on transport.
“The government’s policies seem disconnected from the realities we face.”
Mr. Tunde Ayeni, who works in Lekki, said he now sleeps at the office during the week to save on commuting costs.
“My daily fare rose from N2,000 to N4,000, and my salary is less than N100,000. I started sleeping at the office and going home on weekends. Private companies are also struggling, so they can’t raise salaries.”
“If private companies implement the so-called N70,000 minimum wage, many employees will lose their jobs.
“Except for companies that are resilient to all the effects of these economic policies which I doubt are in existence.”