Over 67% of Nigerians are demanding the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy, rejecting the federal government’s current petrol pricing framework amid escalating economic pressure.
Geopolitical research firm SBM Intelligence disclosed this in its Wave 2 analysis of the Nigeria 2027 Voter Sentiment Tracker, titled ‘Nigeria 2027: A Narrower Race,’ following extensive nationwide surveys.
The report highlights that only 19.2% of surveyed citizens support market pricing, showing widespread public discontent.
Researchers noted, “It is now the second-most cited national problem at 18.2%, the government’s worst-rated issue at 1.69 out of 4, and the subject of a policy the public rejects by 67.4% to 19.2%.”
This deep economic anxiety comes as pump prices in metropolitan cities like Lagos and Abuja persistently hover between N1,400 and N1,450 per litre.
Recent market adjustments have seen minor downward revisions by select independent retailers, yet rates remain significantly elevated across the country.
Domestic refineries, led by Dangote, supplied about 75% of Nigeria’s petrol in the first seven months of 2026, according to official data. Imports made up the rest. Gantry prices have moved with crude and the naira; Brent has traded above $100 a barrel in recent weeks keeping retail costs high.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority maintains it lacks statutory powers to dictate pump prices.
The soaring cost of petrol severely strains household transportation and everyday purchasing power.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has consistently ruled out returning to the former fiscal subsidy regime.
Instead, opposing political figures and various economic analysts continue debating viable alternative interventions.
- Based on SBM Intelligence Wave 2 (1,103 respondents) and September 2026 pump-price surveys.
