Energy Crisis In Niger Republic: Military Government Begs Nigeria To Avert Fuel Catastrophe

Sources told The PUNCH that a high-level delegation from Niger’s military junta visited Abuja for discussions with Nigerian officials. Following negotiations, Nigeria reportedly approved the delivery of 300 trucks of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the country.

A senior Nigerian government official, familiar with the situation, stated that the approval was strategically motivated, with Nigeria leveraging it as a “bargaining tool” in its ongoing diplomatic efforts with Niger.

According to the official, Niger had been depending on fuel imports from a Chinese refinery, but supply disruptions forced the refinery to shut down, worsening the crisis. With fuel shortages escalating, the Nigerien government turned to Nigeria for an emergency supply, though details of the agreement remain undisclosed.

“We don’t want to make noise about it. Instead, we see this as an opportunity to negotiate their return to ECOWAS.

“The more they rely on us, the better our chances of bringing them back to ECOWAS, especially since they lack the resources to import enough food for their citizens,” the source explained.

Officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) suggested that the deal was likely facilitated by the Presidency, as NNPCL now operates as a limited liability company. Meanwhile, a source at Dangote Petroleum Refinery declined to comment, citing diplomatic sensitivities.

The Presidency also remained silent on the matter.

Niger’s Fuel Crisis Escalates

Fuel shortages in Niger have reached alarming levels, with reports indicating that petrol prices have surged to as high as N8,000 per liter in some areas.

Investigations in Sokoto State, which shares a border with Niger, revealed significant price variations depending on the location.

Mallam Abubakar Usman, a Nigerian businessman engaged in cross-border trade, described the situation as dire: “There is a severe scarcity of fuel in the country. The price depends on where one manages to source it.”