Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has defended ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that recent improvements in fuel availability mark a significant turnaround from past shortages that severely disrupted daily life.
Speaking on developments in the petroleum sector, Akpabio recalled periods of acute scarcity when long queues stretched for kilometres at filling stations and supply remained uncertain, even at exorbitant prices.
“There was a time Nigerians were ready to pay as much as N10,000 per litre, yet the product was not available,” he said, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
According to him, the current situation reflects measurable progress, with petrol now widely accessible across the country and the near disappearance of prolonged queues. He attributed this shift to structural reforms in the downstream petroleum sector, alongside increased participation from private operators.
Akpabio further noted that efforts to strengthen domestic refining capacity have begun to reduce reliance on imports, contributing to improved supply stability. He added that Nigeria is increasingly meeting its own fuel needs, with prospects of exporting refined petroleum products.
While acknowledging ongoing economic pressures, including inflation and rising living costs, the Senate President maintained that the reforms are essential for long-term economic resilience.
He urged citizens to adopt a patient, forward-looking perspective, expressing confidence that the full benefits of the administration’s policies will become more evident over time as reforms continue to take effect.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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