Fuel Hike Pushes Families, Businesses to Breaking Point as Transportation Costs Soar

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Samuel Mobolaji

As the 2024/2025 academic session commenced in Lagos and other parts of the country, the sharp rise in fuel prices has hit parents and businesses hard, with many struggling to keep up with skyrocketing transportation costs.

Parents, in particular, are grappling with the increased burden of commuting their children to school, while entrepreneurs face growing production expenses that may soon trickle down to consumers.

The transportation hike has forced many families to reconsider their financial priorities. Mrs. Agnes Ndubusi, a mother of three, described the current situation as unbearable, especially for middle-income earners living in Lagos suburbs. Having recently relocated to Ketu, she has found it difficult to manage the cost of transporting her children to school, which has doubled due to the fuel price surge.

“I am in a dilemma,” Ndubusi explained to our correspondent. “The fares have jumped this Monday. The driver charged N500 per child from Ojota to Ikeja, where my children go to school. With three children, I’m now spending N2,000 just to get them to school every day. Coupled with the school fees, it’s becoming impossible to manage. The cost of living—food, groceries, school supplies—everything is rising. If things don’t improve, I may be forced to withdraw them from school.”

Her story is just one example of the widespread struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians. Many parents now face the difficult choice of whether to prioritize their children’s education or cover other essential expenses like food and rent.

Aishat Abass, a young intern at a national newspaper, echoed these concerns. She shared how the fuel hike has drastically affected her daily commute, forcing her to leave home much earlier to catch lower-priced transport. “This is a nightmare,” Aishat said.

“We’re already stretched thin, and this increase is pushing us over the edge. It’s a crisis situation, and we need immediate action from the government. Many people are facing hard choices between paying for transportation or basic necessities.”
Business owners are feeling the squeeze as well. Mr. Joseph Fakunke, an entrepreneur, explained how the rise in fuel prices has led to a significant increase in his operating costs.

“The hike has eaten into our resources. Running my business has become much more expensive, and there’s only so much we can absorb before we have to pass these costs onto the customers. We need the government to intervene and bring fuel prices back to reasonable levels.”

Even Nollywood actress Oma Nnadi expressed her frustration over the rising cost of goods and services. In a social media post, she questioned why more Nigerians aren’t speaking out about the situation. “The increase in prices is overwhelming,” she lamented. “I don’t understand how we’re coping. Why is nobody talking about this?”

The fuel hike is not just a transportation issue but an economic challenge that affects every sector. As production costs rise, businesses across the board—from manufacturing to retail—are forced to adjust prices, potentially leading to inflationary pressures on consumers.

For both families and businesses, the current situation presents a critical moment, with many calling on the government to step in and alleviate the growing financial strain. Without intervention, the ripple effect of these rising costs could worsen, further eroding purchasing power and quality of life across the nation.

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