Ban on fuel sale chokes Ogun border towns six years after
Six Years Since Nigeria’s Fuel Ban: Border Communities Still Suffering
November 2019 marked a significant shift in Nigeria’s fuel distribution policy when the government, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, instated a ban on the supply of petroleum products to filling stations within 20 kilometers of the country’s land borders. The measure aimed to mitigate the smuggling of subsidized fuel across borders and curb fuel access for terrorists and bandits.
Since the enforcement of this ban, residents in 15 states, particularly in Ogun, have faced considerable challenges. Communities in border areas such as Ipokia, Imeko Afon, Yewa North, and Yewa South have reported crippling effects on local businesses. Many residents either travel long distances for fuel or resort to purchasing from black market vendors at inflated prices.
On March 18, 2020, the federal government eased some restrictions by granting waivers to 66 filling stations in various border communities, allowing them to resume fuel sales to alleviate the hardships faced by residents. These stations span areas in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, and Ogun states.
Despite the partial lifting of the ban, locals in Ogun still express frustration over fuel shortages and elevated prices. Ahmed Ismaila, Chairman of the Community Development Association in Iwoye-Ketu, reported that during a recent fuel crisis, black market prices soared to N2,000 per liter. He emphasized the burdensome transportation costs, which increased from approximately N700 to N3,000 for the same distance.
Reports indicate that black market operations remain rampant, with vendors traveling to nearby towns to acquire petrol. In May 2025, the federal government granted waivers to five additional filling stations in Ogun State, aimed at offering further relief to residents. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, a lawmaker representing the affected districts, noted that these waivers were achieved through sustained advocacy from local stakeholders.
However, many residents remain dissatisfied, noting that only a fraction of filling stations are operational and that prices have yet to stabilize. Community leaders, including Ismaila, urge the government to fully lift the ban. Residents also face the hardship of transportation costs, with some reporting expenditures as high as N5,000 to acquire fuel.
The Eselu of Eselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, publicly called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the ban during a recent press conference, highlighting the negative impacts on community welfare and safety. He pointed out that the ban was initially justified by concerns around smuggling but questioned its relevance as fuel subsidy issues have been addressed.
Calls for the ban to be lifted include concerns regarding rising crime rates, with individuals citing a link between economic hardship and increased incidences of theft and burglary in the region.
Regarding enforcement, the Nigeria Customs Service has undertaken operations resulting in the seizure of over 190,000 liters of fuel in the past year alone, emphasizing ongoing challenges in controlling smuggling across the borders.
Human rights groups echo these concerns. Comrade Yinka Folarin, National President of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, argued that residents must be allowed to access essential commodities, including fuel. He emphasized that the deprivation of access to fuel undermines citizens’ rights and urged for effective border security measures to prevent smuggling while allowing residents to have equal access to resources.
As communities in Nigeria await further government action, the effects of the fuel ban spotlight the substantial socio-economic challenges faced by border regions, prompting calls for immediate policy reassessment and relief.
