Dangote Refinery is a remarkable achievement by one man, but what does it mean for the average Nigerian if we refine fuel here and still buy it at almost the same price as imported fuel?
Nigeria produces crude oil. The Niger Delta bears the burden of pollution, and the country loses billions to oil theft, yet Nigerians still pay for fuel as if we don't produce oil at all.
We were told fuel subsidies were the problem, and that once we started refining locally, fuel prices would drop. Today, Africa's biggest refinery is operating, yet fuel remains unaffordable. So, what changed?
The real benefit of local refining should be cheaper fuel, lower transport costs, and more affordable food and goods. If that isn't happening, then it feels like a profitable business for Dangote not meaningful relief for ordinary Nigerians.
If we truly want Nigerians to benefit, local crude should be supplied at local prices, not international dollar prices.
Life can reduce a person to a point where they no longer have the luxury of pride.
Just this afternoon, immediately after I came out of the bathroom, I heard the gate open. I pulled the curtain aside to see who was there.
It was a woman old enough to be my mother.
Immediately she saw me, she asked if she could speak with me, and I said ok.
She said she wanted to know if she could work for us like washing clothes, cleaning the toilet, or mopping the rooms in exchange for food. She said she didn’t money. She just wanted food to feed her children at home.
Honestly, I didn’t know what to say. The only thing I could do was direct her to our neighbours.
It’s heartbreaking. The hardship is touching almost everyone in one way or another.