By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on Tuesday increased the pump price of petrol to between ₦855 and ₦897 per litre, depending on location, up from ₦568. The move has triggered widespread reactions, with many calling for a swift reversal of the new prices.
In a statement on Thursday, the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), led by its Chairman, Dr. Saheed Babajide Kehinde, condemned the price hike, describing it as an added burden on Nigerians already grappling with severe economic hardship and insecurity.
“This unilateral decision has imposed further unbearable hardship on Nigerians, including our members medical and dental doctors who are already facing difficult economic challenges,” Kehinde said. He added that many healthcare professionals are leaving the country in large numbers due to the worsening economic situation, and the price increase will only exacerbate the challenges they face.
The NMA emphasized that the price hike comes at a time when Nigerians are enduring record-high inflation and rising living costs, warning that the decision will deepen social and mental stress, increase poverty levels, and lead to further public unrest and health crises, including depression and stress-induced medical conditions.
“How can we justify a situation where doctors, earning an average of $300 per month, are expected to cope with such sharp increases in living costs?” the statement asked, underscoring the negative impact on healthcare professionals and the broader population.
The association called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and reverse the price increase, highlighting that such a move would provide much-needed relief to the public. It also urged the Federal Government to rethink its economic policies, push for self-sufficiency in petroleum production, and prioritize the revitalization of local refineries to ease Nigeria’s dependency on fuel imports.
The NMA reiterated its commitment to advocating for the well-being of its members, who continue to provide critical healthcare services under increasingly challenging conditions. “With compassionate leadership, Nigeria can overcome these difficulties and create a more sustainable and equitable future for all,” the statement concluded.
