Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said Nigerians are “doing very well” with the current petrol price, comparing the cost of fuel in Nigeria with what he encountered at a filling station in London.
Okpebholo made the comment on Thursday while speaking at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo State.
The governor said he travelled to London the previous week and decided to visit a filling station with a friend to compare petrol prices in the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
‘A Litre Is Over ₦3,000 In UK’
According to Okpebholo, the price he saw in London translated to more than ₦3,000 per litre after conversion.
“When we complained about the cost of petrol, I was in London last week. I told my friend, ‘Let’s go and buy fuel just to know the cost of fuel between Nigeria and England.’
“Let me tell you, after conversion, it’s about ₦3,000-something for one litre of fuel,” he said.
He then declared that Nigerians were getting petrol at a comparatively lower price.
“We are doing very well here,” the governor said.
His remarks came amid continued complaints from Nigerians over the cost of petrol and its impact on transportation and household expenses.
UK Fuel Price Compared With Nigeria
Current figures cited in reports show that petrol prices in Nigeria vary by location. NNPC Limited’s latest pump-price schedule puts petrol at ₦1,385 per litre in Lagos and ₦1,430 in Abuja, although prices are different across states and filling stations.
In the UK, the average petrol price was around £1.74 per litre as of September 24, which translates to more than ₦3,000 depending on the prevailing exchange rate.
However, the comparison is based on the nominal price of petrol and does not by itself account for differences in wages, income levels, taxes and the wider cost of living in both countries.
Okpebholo Defends Tinubu’s Reforms
The Edo governor also used the occasion to defend President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as difficult but necessary.
He said the country was going through a transition period and argued that Nigerians would eventually begin to see greater benefits from the reforms.
Okpebholo compared the situation to an aircraft taking off, saying passengers do not begin receiving meals until the plane reaches cruising altitude.
“I want to let you know, very soon Nigeria will be on the cruising level. Nigeria will be on a cruising level,” he said.
He also praised Tinubu as an economist working to stabilise the Nigerian economy.
The governor’s comments have added a fresh dimension to the ongoing debate over petrol prices, with the comparison between Nigerian and British pump prices drawing attention amid concerns over the affordability of fuel for households and motorists.
