The price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in Niger Republic has begun to decline following fuel shipments from Nigeria, The PUNCH reports.
Residents in border communities and security sources confirmed that hundreds of petrol tankers from Nigeria have been making their way into Niger Republic, easing the country’s fuel crisis.
On March 16, 2025, Sunday PUNCH exclusively reported that Niger Republic sought assistance from Nigeria after facing a severe fuel shortage. Despite months of diplomatic tensions, the West African country sent a delegation of senior officials to Abuja to negotiate fuel supplies. Following the meeting, Nigeria approved the delivery of 300 trucks of petrol to its northern neighbor.
A senior Nigerian government official, speaking anonymously due to the diplomatic sensitivity of the matter, revealed that the fuel supply was intended as a “strategic bargaining tool” in ongoing negotiations with Niger.
“We do not want to blow our trumpet. Rather, we want to use it as a bargaining chip for negotiation, as we continue to engage with them to bring them back to ECOWAS,” the official stated.
He added, “Let them get more from us. I am confident that gradually they will come back to ECOWAS because they do not have enough resources to import food to sustain their citizens.”
Security sources confirmed that the steady flow of fuel from Nigeria has led to a sharp decline in petrol prices in Niger Republic. Prices, which had soared to N10,000 per litre last week, dropped to around N5,000 per litre on Sunday as more shipments arrived.
A resident of Agadez, Faruku Lawali, told The PUNCH that while queues at filling stations persist, the situation has significantly improved.
“The situation has improved very well compared to the last few days and weeks. There is now a better supply of fuel in the country,” Lawali said. He praised the Nigerian government for stepping in at a critical time, adding, “We appreciate the government for not abandoning the Republic of Niger when it mattered most.”
Usman Aliyu, a commercial bus driver operating between Nigeria and Niger, echoed similar sentiments.
“With what Nigeria has done, I just realized that blood is thicker than water. The way Nigeria came to our rescue during the fuel crisis in Niger is highly commendable,” Aliyu said.
He noted that the price of petrol in Niger, previously sold for about N10,000 (4,800 CFA), has now dropped to 2,000 CFA per litre.
A security officer stationed at Nigeria’s Illela border confirmed the movement of petrol tankers to Niger Republic.
“There have been movements of petroleum products from here in Nigeria to Niger Republic. I believe it is part of the agreement reached with the government. The necessary security checks are carried out before passage,” the officer stated.
The improved fuel supply signals a thaw in relations between the two countries and reinforces Nigeria’s role in stabilizing the region’s energy needs.
