“We’re Going To Buy Petrol At 3,000 Per Liter Before The End Of The Year” – Lawyer Alapinni Warns

International human rights lawyer Kola Alapinni has warned that petrol prices in Nigeria could rise to N3,000 per litre before the end of the year if current market conditions persist, raising concerns about the impact of rising fuel costs on households and businesses.

According to a report by the Arise News television programme’s newspaper review on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Alapinni raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s temporary relief measures amid rising petrol prices despite a reported reduction by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

He questioned the sustainability of the intervention, particularly whether Nigerians would continue to benefit after the initial relief period.

“If it goes on like this, we’re going to buy petrol at 3,000 per liter before the end of the year,” Alapinni warned.

He explained that although the government had defended its measures as different from a return to fuel subsidy, Nigerians were more concerned about whether the policies would improve their living conditions.

According to him, improvements in external reserves and foreign exchange stability would mean little to ordinary citizens if the prices of essential goods remained high.

“The question is how does it translate to the ordinary man on the street?” he asked, highlighting the need to assess government policies by their impact on household purchasing power.

Alapinni also criticised the disparity between the sacrifices demanded of citizens and the lifestyle of public officials.

“You’re asking everybody else to tighten their belt. It’s a hard sale,” he said, questioning the cost of government officials’ convoys and other privileges amid rising fuel prices.

He further warned that uncertainty in the market could trigger panic buying, putting additional pressure on petrol prices.

The lawyer’s comments came amid broader discussions about the sustainability of the government’s economic policies and the need to protect vulnerable Nigerians from rising living costs.

He stressed that the government must explain how its interventions would deliver lasting benefits rather than temporary relief.