A social media post revealing a significant drop in petrol price at a Lagos filling station has ignited widespread discussion and relief among Nigerians. Uloma Opurum, a LinkedIn optimisation expert, took to Facebook to announce that fuel was being sold for N739 per litre, a development she described as a blessing.
From Doubt to Proof: A Viral Revelation
When Uloma initially shared the news online, she was met with skepticism from some netizens. To counter the doubts, she provided concrete evidence by posting a photograph of the filling station in question. She clearly identified the location as an MRS station close to Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos. Her post, which simply read "Fuel is now 739 per litre. Thank God oh," quickly gained traction.
This discovery comes on the heels of strategic announcements from major industry players. Dangote Refinery had previously declared a reduction in its gantry price to N699 per litre, setting a recommended retail price of N739 per litre at its partner stations. The refinery stated this would take effect from Thursday, December 11, with MRS Oil Nigeria Plc implementing the new pump price starting Tuesday, December 16.
Broader Market Adjustments and Public Reaction
Concurrently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has also implemented price adjustments across the country. Checks confirm that in Lagos, the NNPC reduced the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N890 to N875 per litre. In Abuja, the price was slightly lowered from N920 to N915 per litre.
The lady's post elicited a flood of reactions from social media users:
- Otunba Kayode Gbenga confirmed the information, noting a queue at the station.
- Norris David reflected on the potential for lower prices with more refineries, though he still considered N750 high.
- Joshua Chidiebele pointed out the business advantage of MRS stations due to their connection with Dangote.
- Olaniyan Adeyemi Ayodeji questioned the use of subsidy savings, expressing that a celebration was premature until prices fall to N300.
- King Stanley Ikechukwu predicted prices could drop to N500 but cautioned about monopoly concerns.
- Aniegboka Nkiruka humorously suggested the price drop was a historic Christmas event worthy of the Guinness Book of Records.
A Glimmer of Hope Ahead of Festivities
This price reduction, occurring just before the Christmas celebrations, offers a slight respite to Nigerians who have been grappling with high fuel costs. While the decrease at the specific MRS station is more pronounced, the broader market adjustments by NNPC indicate a tentative downward trend. The incident highlights the powerful role of citizen journalism and social media in sharing real-time market information and holding narratives to account. The public's mixed reactions—spanning gratitude, skepticism, and calls for further reductions—reflect the complex economic realities facing consumers.
