₦airaland Forum

Fuel Hike Protest Shifted to March 18 as Negotiations Continue, Organisers Insist on ₦600 per Litre

Tension over Nigeria’s rising fuel prices eased slightly on Thursday after organisers of the nationwide protest against the March 12 fuel hike agreed to postpone the demonstrations to March 18, following ongoing negotiations with the federal government.

The protest, which was initially scheduled to begin on March 12 across major cities, had gained widespread attention as citizens, labour groups, and civil society organisations expressed frustration over the rising cost of petrol and its ripple effects on transportation, food prices, and general living expenses.

However, after a late-night dialogue between protest leaders and representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, organisers announced that the planned demonstrations would be temporarily suspended to allow room for negotiations.



According to organisers, the decision to postpone the protests was not a cancellation but a strategic pause intended to give the government time to respond to key demands from citizens.

One of the protest coordinators said the government requested additional time to review the concerns raised by Nigerians and explore possible solutions to the current fuel pricing crisis.

“The protest has been shifted to March 18 to allow negotiations to continue,” the organiser stated. “But Nigerians must understand that this is not the end of the struggle. If our demands are not met, the nationwide protests will go ahead.”

At the centre of the dispute is the price of petrol. Protest organisers are demanding that the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) be reduced to ₦600 per litre, arguing that the current price is unsustainable for ordinary Nigerians.

They warn that without a reduction, many households will continue to struggle with the rising cost of transportation, electricity alternatives, and essential goods.

“The reality on the streets is harsh,” another organiser said. “Transport fares have doubled, food prices are rising, and businesses are closing. Nigerians cannot survive at the current fuel price.”



The postponement has given the government a narrow window to address the concerns before the new protest date.

Economic analysts say the coming days will be crucial as the administration weighs the economic implications of adjusting fuel prices while maintaining fiscal stability.

Public reaction across cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt has been mixed. While some citizens welcome the negotiations, others say they are ready to take to the streets if no meaningful action is taken.



With March 18 now set as the new protest date, all eyes remain on the ongoing talks between protest organisers and the government.

If negotiations produce a compromise—particularly regarding the proposed ₦600 per litre price—the demonstrations may be called off. But if talks collapse, organisers say Nigerians should expect mass protests across the country.

For many citizens already grappling with economic hardship, the outcome of these discussions could shape the country’s social and economic climate in the weeks ahead.

No be Tinubu or APC fault
Middle East wars, caused all this tinz

muyico:
No be Tinubu or APC fault
Middle East wars, caused all this tinz

It is Tinubu and APC fault.
Tinubu and APC want to use middle east wars as excuse to increase fuel prices against the detriment of Nigerians.

600 naira....they should refine it themselves

lamentor78:
600 naira....they should refine it themselves

What do you mean by "they should refine it themselves"

lamentor78:
600 naira....they should refine it themselves

Nigerians will reject fuel price increment.
Tinubu administration are fantastic corrupt.
Tinubu administration met fuel price at 200 naira per liter in 2023 but increase it to 900 naira per liter with the excuse of fuel subsidy removal and now to 1300 naira per liter with the excuse of middle east war: tinubu administration joking with Nigerians intelligence.

Tinubu one term president of Nigeria. O.T.P