The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent action to curb the escalating petrol prices and the devaluation of the naira to prevent a looming mass revolt.
NASU President, Dr. Makolo Hassan, speaking during the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja over the weekend, warned that the rising fuel cost is driving up transportation and production expenses, leading to higher inflation and economic strain on citizens.
Hassan noted that Nigeria’s over-reliance on crude oil has made the country’s economy vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations. He criticized the lack of progress in diversifying the economy, which remains heavily dependent on oil, leaving Nigeria exposed to economic instability.
Hassan also expressed concern about the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), accusing it of failing to revive government-owned refineries while focusing on dominating the distribution of fuel from the private-sector Dangote Refinery. He condemned NNPCL’s shift in priorities, which he said deepens public frustration over the nation’s energy crisis.
The NASU president further highlighted the impact of inflation, rising fuel prices, and the naira’s continuous devaluation on the cost of living, warning that many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities as poverty levels increase.
He urged the government to address these challenges to ease the financial burden on citizens.
