Fuel shortages have reemerged in Ilorin, causing long queues at petrol stations as the scarcity of petrol continues to affect various parts of the country.

In major filling stations, the price of a litre of petrol ranges from N640 to N680. However, some independent fuel stations in Ilorin have increased their prices significantly, with rates reaching as high as N900, N950, or even N1,000 per litre.

Many filling stations were closed at the time of reporting, citing a lack of stock as the reason for their unavailability. Tajudeen Balogun, a manager at one of the independent stations, expressed frustration, noting that there is no longer any importation or loading of petrol in Lagos.

He highlighted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is now the sole importer of the product, and this situation is expected to persist until the country’s four local refineries are operational and able to meet the fuel demands of Nigerians.

A senior official from TotalEnergies at a filling station in Ilorin, who wished to remain anonymous, also mentioned the current challenges.

They indicated that the inability to load fuel in Lagos is due to the unavailability of the product, and expressed uncertainty about when the situation might improve, stating that only divine intervention might resolve the ongoing crisis.

The scarcity of fuel and the surge in petrol prices have led to increased transportation costs in Ilorin. Commercial cab operators, as well as Okada (motorcycle taxis) and tricycle riders, have reported significant hikes in fares, exacerbating the impact of the fuel shortage on daily commutes and transportation across the state capital.