Motorists in Abuja, Lagos, and Ogun states have expressed concerns over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's (NNPC) requirement to use a mobile application to access a N66-per-litre petrol discount. The discount, announced by the federal government, is available at NNPC retail stations, but only to customers who use the NNPC Fuel App. This has led to criticism from motorists who argue that the requirement excludes commercial drivers, tricycle operators, and low-income earners who spend a substantial portion of their earnings on fuel.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced the 30-day discount on October 8, 2026, as part of measures to cushion Nigerians against rising fuel costs. He stated that public transport operators would receive priority under the arrangement. Oyedele stressed that the initiative was not a return to the petrol subsidy regime abolished in May 2023, but rather a temporary measure for NNPC Retail to sell petrol at cost.
At some NNPC retail outlets in Abuja, motorists paying directly at the pump were charged N1,405 per litre, while those using the application paid N1,339, a difference of N66. Although the savings are welcome, motorists argued that requiring a smartphone, internet data, registration, and digital payment could exclude those who cannot afford these luxuries. This has led to concerns that the discount is not accessible to those who need it most.
NNPC's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, defended the app-only access, stating that it was necessary to "ensure effective control, prevent abuse, and ensure the benefit reaches intended customers". He added that the initiative was also intended to encourage wider adoption of the application and improve the customer experience. However, motorists argue that a public relief initiative should not depend on an application that some customers might lack the devices, data, or network access to use.
The discount was initially scheduled to run from October 1 to 7, 2026, but was extended until October 31, 2026. Odeh confirmed that the N66-per-litre discount under the Independence Anniversary promotion was the same initiative as the 30-day petrol discount announced by the federal government. Motorists, however, are questioning the approach, arguing that it creates an unfair advantage for those who have access to the app.
At an NNPC mega station along Obasanjo Way in Abuja, a fuel attendant confirmed that the discount was not automatically applied at the pump. "You can only qualify for the N66 discount if you download the app. You would also make a payment through the app," the attendant said. This has led to frustration among motorists who are being forced to navigate the app in order to access the discount.
The controversy surrounding NNPC's app-only fuel discount highlights the challenges of implementing public relief initiatives in Nigeria. While the discount is a welcome relief for motorists, the requirement to use a mobile application has created a new hurdle for those who need it most. The federal government and NNPC will need to address these concerns in order to ensure that the initiative is fair and accessible to all Nigerians.
Key points
- The NNPC fuel discount is only accessible through a mobile app, excluding those without smartphones or internet access.
- The discount was announced as part of measures to cushion Nigerians against rising fuel costs.
- The initiative has been extended until October 31, 2026.
