The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticised the recent surge in fuel prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which saw the pump price jump from N617 to nearly N900.
In a statement, NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) described the hike as not only severe but also unjustifiable at this time. He noted that the sudden increase places an unbearable strain on the already overstretched finances of ordinary Nigerians.
Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, warned that this development would further exacerbate the economic difficulties faced by millions across the country.
“The ripple effects of such a steep fuel price increase on the cost of living, transportation, and essential goods and services are alarming,” Osigwe said.
“Nigerians are already struggling with inflation, unemployment, and other hardships, and this additional financial burden is unsustainable. If this price hike continues, it will only deepen the poverty and suffering of citizens.”
While the NBA acknowledged the need for economic reforms and recognized the government’s duty to make tough decisions, it emphasised that such decisions must prioritize the welfare of citizens.
The NBA called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the policy and engage in meaningful discussions with key stakeholders, including civil society organisations, labor unions, and economic experts, to explore more sustainable and less punitive alternatives.
It further urged the government to focus on improving the well-being of its people, especially the most vulnerable, by pursuing policies that ease rather than intensify their suffering.
The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and advocating for the rights and welfare of all Nigerians. The association expressed its readiness to work constructively with the government to find a more balanced solution that promotes economic stability while safeguarding the interests of the people.