Relief could be on the way for Nigeria’s public transport operators as the Federal Government announces a **30-day petrol price discount** aimed at easing the mounting pressure of high fuel costs.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele**, announced the measure on Thursday, October 8, during a briefing on petrol prices and the government’s subsidy policy.
According to Oyedele, petrol dispensed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will be sold at a discount for the next 30 days, with public transport operators receiving priority nationwide
“We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC for the next 30 days in the first instance, with priority for public transport operators nationwide,” Oyedele said.
But the government insists this is **not a return to the controversial petrol subsidy regime.
“It is not a subsidy. Government is saying we will sell to you at cost price,” the minister explained.
The announcement comes as petrol prices hover around **₦1,400 per litre**, following a sharp increase in international crude oil prices.
Oyedele acknowledged that the surge in fuel prices has hit Nigerians hard, driving up **transport fares, logistics costs and household expenses**, with vulnerable families bearing much of the burden.
He also defended the government’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, arguing that without the reform, the impact of soaring global crude prices would have been even more severe.
According to him, crude oil, which traded at around $70 per barrel before the conflict**, has since risen sharply, while petrol prices have climbed from roughly ₦830 to an average of ₦1,400 per litre.
“We do not like ₦1,400/litre. It’s expensive. But if the subsidy had not been removed by Mr President, what we’d be dealing with today would be far worse than ₦1,400,” he said.
For the next 30 days, the government says the focus will be on **shielding public transport operators from the full impact of soaring fuel costs** — and, ultimately, easing the burden on millions of Nigerians who depend on public transportation every day.
The big question now is how much cheaper the petrol will be for eligible operators — and whether the temporary relief will translate into lower transport fares for commuters.