News

Nigerians groan over effects of 7.5% VAT on petrol prices

Published

3 years ago

June 19, 2023

266 Views

Nigerians have begun to lament the effects of the introduction of a 7.5 per cent Value-Added Tax on the price of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

This comes barely a month after President Bola Tinubu removed the subsidy on petrol during his inaugural speech on May 29, raising the price of PMS from N188 to about N580 in different states of the federation.

Recall that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, announced that the Finance Act 2020 raised the previous 5 per cent VAT of the country to 7.5 per cent on commodities including automobile gas oil and it was implemented on February 20, 2020.

But the VAT-exempt items include honey, bread, cereals, cooking oils, culinary herbs, fish, flour, starch, fruits, meat, poultry, milk, nuts, pulses, roots, salt, vegetables, water, sanitary pads, tampons, tertiary, secondary, primary and nursery tuition.

While other commodities have been VAT-compliant, PMS was not until recently because it was being subsidised by the Federal Government.

However, the new development has hit Nigerians hard, as many have called for an utmost review of it, especially because of the recent removal of fuel subsidies.

See reactions below:

A user, Ingawa said, “That means for every litre of AGO you will buy, you have to pay 7.5% Consumer Tax (VAT) of the Pump Price. For example; If 1 litre of AGO is N650 at the filling station, then you have to pay an additional N48.75 being payment for 7.5% VAT. The total price per litre will be N698.75 per litre.”

Another user, Angry Non-Nigerian, said, “When Tinubu said ‘widen the tax net, you people thought he was joking. The only thing that man knows is tax, tax and tax. As Lagosians.”

One Oyo said, “The Citizens will be the main IGR for this government. There is no single move to cut the cost of government from the Senate to the House to other departments. They went to education first by trying to add tuition fees, now 7.5% VAT on PMS. Everything directly to the common man.”

Akwa Ibom 1st son opined, “So after the removal of subsidy and the price of fuel jumped to 530, they’ve now decided to add 7.5%. VAT on AGO. In all of these, what are the politicians losing, and what are they sacrificing?”

“7.5% VAT on diesel after subsidy on petrol was removed? They will show you people shege banza pro max air 2. The government is after our lives bro!.

“Even those that were shouting ‘Akanbi’ will not be left out. They might even end up being the most affected. The evil will go round. I swear!

“Good governance is not attained by wishful thoughts, things don’t work that way. Now, Tinubu is going for a check-up after ruining the economy with senseless policies.

“His supporters have been crying since last week because the pressure is going around. We must all learn a lesson,” Madu Obi wrote.

News

I’m Proudly Nigerian, says Fashola

Former Lagos State Governor and immediate past Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during his keynote address at the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, where he spoke extensively on national identity, migration, patriotism and Nigeria’s global image.

Published

10 hours ago

January 20, 2026

OCHEFA

10 Views

” I remain firmly Nigerian by choice, conviction and identity.”

He stressed the need for Nigerians, at home and abroad, to take collective ownership of the country and its problems.

“I don’t think we own Nigeria enough. So, I heard some of our colleagues and our compatriots who, by virtue of the 1999 Constitution, have dual citizenships. But I have only one,” said Fashola.

“And when they talk to me, they say, your country. I say, stop. It’s our country. Your problem is our problem. There must be a common ownership on every platform. If we have common ownership, we will solve it. So, from my childhood experience, I tell people I’m not just a proud Nigerian, I’m an arrogant one. I’m arrogant about my country.“I tell people that I have not received one day’s education outside this country.

All my education was here. So, proudly made in Nigeria. Arrogantly, too. So everything, every inch that we think that we have lost, we can get back if we decide to,” he stated.

News

Opral Benson is alive, safe and not missing – AREF , Family

AREF confirms that Mrs. Benson is currently in Liberia, her presence there is voluntary and known.

Published

11 hours ago

January 20, 2026

OCHEFA

12 Views

The African Refugees Foundation (AREF) and family source said that its president, Opral Benson, popularly known as the Iya Oge of Lagos, is alive, safe and not missing.

Her family earlier said that the 90-year-old was last seen on January 13 and had not returned home since then.

However, a statement , titled, Dear Friends, RE: My Mum, signed by her daughter, Bimbo, confirmed that Benson was in Liberia.

Also, the chief executive officer of AREF, Olujimi Olusola III, Said that Benson is hale and hearty, and there is no cause for concern.“

AREF confirms that Mrs. Benson is currently in Liberia, her presence there is voluntary and known.

News

Lagos urges residents to prepare for 64 days traffic from Lekki Phase 1–Ajah Bridge as reconstruction begins

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, said that the rehabilitation works on Sections 2 and 3 of the expressway will commence on Sunday, 25 January 2026, and last for an estimated 64 days.

Published

14 hours ago

January 20, 2026

OCHEFA

24 Views

• Sangotedo – Bogije section of Lekki -Epe expressway / Ohibaba.com

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday announced a 64-day traffic diversion for the reconstruction of the Ajah Bridge to Admiralty section (inbound Lagos) of the Lekki–Epe Expressway.

Daramola said that the project will follow a traffic management plan, with work carried out intersection by intersection rather than along the entire corridor at once.

Construction will be carried out both day and night to accelerate completion.

He explained that though a stakeholder meeting had been held late last year with plans to begin work, the project was postponed due to the yuletide festivities.

The festivities are over, and the state government has instructed the contractor to move to site to commence work on Sunday,” he said.

Intersections will be worked on at night to maintain better traffic flow.