ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to urgently implement emergency economic relief measures as the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to disrupt global oil markets and deepen hardship in Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the organisation warned that the crisis, which has persisted for over a month, is already worsening poverty levels through rising fuel prices, transportation costs and food inflation.
The group expressed concern over what it described as the absence of a coordinated government response to cushion the impact of the global energy shock on citizens.
It noted that global crude oil prices have risen from an average of $75–$80 per barrel prior to the escalation of the conflict to about $100 per barrel due to supply disruptions in the Middle East. Despite this increase, which should ordinarily boost Nigeria’s earnings as an oil-producing country, the organisation said the benefits have not translated into relief for Nigerians.
According to ActionAid, with Nigeria’s daily crude oil production estimated between 1.3 million and 1.5 million barrels, government revenues from oil exports have increased, yet citizens continue to face soaring fuel costs. Petrol prices, it said, currently range between N1,200 and N1,400 per litre in many parts of the country, while diesel prices remain elevated.
The organisation observed that the ripple effects are being felt across the economy, with transport fares and food prices rising sharply, pushing essential goods and services beyond the reach of many households.
Speaking on the development, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the situation reflects both the global crisis and longstanding domestic policy challenges.
“It is unacceptable that Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of global oil price increases without adequate protection,” he said, adding that several countries facing similar shocks have introduced proactive measures to shield their populations.
He cited examples of governments in Asia implementing price stabilisation policies, public transport subsidies and direct financial support to households. Countries such as Thailand and Indonesia, he noted, have deployed mechanisms to cushion the impact of rising energy costs.
The organisation further revealed that rapid community assessments across multiple states indicate that many households are already adopting distress coping strategies, including skipping meals, withdrawing children from school due to transport costs and resorting to borrowing for survival.
It also warned that small and medium-sized enterprises are scaling down operations or shutting down due to high diesel and logistics costs, while informal sector workers are experiencing declining incomes.
To mitigate the crisis, ActionAid Nigeria urged the Federal Government, in collaboration with state and local authorities, to implement a coordinated emergency response. Recommended measures include targeted cash transfers to vulnerable households and informal businesses, temporary fuel subsidies, financial support for public transport systems and the reduction of taxes and port charges contributing to high fuel prices.
Other proposals include expanding the crude-for-naira framework to stabilise domestic fuel supply, safeguarding food distribution and healthcare logistics from rising transport costs, and enforcing energy conservation measures across public institutions.
The group also called on private sector employers to provide welfare support, including transport assistance and cost-of-living adjustments, while urging subnational governments to strengthen social safety nets and monitor markets to prevent exploitation.
“The global crisis may be beyond Nigeria’s control, but the government’s response is not,” the organisation stated, stressing that urgent and decisive action is required to protect citizens from further economic strain.
