Two months after another round of fuel scarcity hit the country, fuel queues have not gone away. As a result, many Nigerians spent Christmas in search of petrol.
Although the product is increasingly available at filling stations now, many stations sell well above the official pump price of N87 and many people have to settle for black market fuel, paying even more extortive prices.
A survey of 187 of our readers on Christmas Day showed that the majority of them bought the product above the official price. Specifically, only 11 of them bought the product at the official rate.
The rest had to pay between N90 and an outrageous N1,000.
Out of the 187 readers who shared the highest price at which they had bought the product via our Facebook page, 14 bought fuel between the official price and N100, while 119 others had to pay between N101 and N200.
A total of 30 readers parted with between N201 and 300 per litre of fuel; eight bought the product at between N301 and N400 with six others paying between N401 and N500 per litre of fuel, while 10 of the readers paid above N500 for a litre of fuel.
The average price at which our readers bought fuel was N221 per litre, a review of their responses showed.
In this piece, we look at the top black market spots in Lagos where Nigerians desperate for fuel go to buy the product.
Ikorodu Road
Yes. This is not exactly a spot; it is more of a den of black spots. This long stretch of road is probably the best to be on when your car is almost running on empty.
That is because there are several black market spots along the road. From Fadeyi through Palmgrove to Obanikoro and beyond, black marketers hangout near the many filling stations that dot the road, waiting for customers.
Majidun/Isawo, Ikorodu
This is arguably the most notorious black market spot in Lagos. Not only is this area known as a place to buy black market fuel, it is a hot spot for oil bunkering.
Although a major crackdown on oil thieves in the area by security operatives has rid it of its buzz and notoriety, it remains a target for those in need of fuel from the black market.
The crackdown by security operatives in October had been forced by the murder of more than five DSS and police personnel in the area. Over 5,000 jerrycans loaded with petrol were seized and 100 suspected vandals arrested.
NNPC Road, Ejigbo-Isolo
The name and location of this area implies that there should be fuel here despite the fact that the country has relied on imports for years. Unfortunately, in times of fuel scarcity, like most parts of Lagos, it is the black market that thrives here. A litre of fuel in the black market is sold within the N150 range.
Lawanson Road, Ojuelegba
This road in the very busy Ojuelegba area of Lagos is another place where fuel can be easily bought of the black market. Young, agile and aggressive-looking youths run the business in this axis, selling a litre of fuel between N150 and N200. During the peak of the fuel scarcity, some sold the product for as high as N250 per litre.
Ojo Road and Boundary, Ajegunle
Ajegunle is the representative of the Apapa axis of Lagos on this list. Black market fuel is sold on Ojo Road and the Boundary area of Ajegunle from N150 to N200 per litre.
The many small businesses in this area that rely on generators were forced to either tough it out or become customers of the black market.
Liasu Road, Ikotun-Egbe
A popular black spot in Ikotun is on Liasu Road, opposite the St. Francis Catholic School. At this spot, Nigerians part with between N150 and 200 for a litre of fuel.
Akowonjo Roundabout
The Akowonjo Roundabout in Akowonjo, a suburb in Alimosho Local Government Area is a hot spot for people fed up with empty filling stations or long queues. Fuel is sold at the spot for between N120 and N150.
Awolowo Road, Ikeja
Not far from the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, there is a black market spot. Male and female hustlers seized the "opportunity" offered by the fuel scarcity to do brisk business beside the Mobil station located just after the hotel.
A litre of fuel is sold at the spot for between N150 and N200.
Ijegun, Fagbile Phase 3
Also located in Alimosho LGA, fuel is sold here for between N150 and N200. Regular customers get to pay N1,500 for four litres of the product, while new customers pay as much as N200 per litre.
Agbebi Road, Ijesha
In Ijesha, Surulere, one of the popular spots for the sale of black-market fuel is Agbebi Road. Fuel is sold up to N200 here.
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