The cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Niger Republic has started to decline following the arrival of fuel shipments from Nigeria, according to sources in border communities and security agencies.
Reports indicate that hundreds of petrol tankers have been crossing into Niger from Nigeria, easing the fuel crisis that had severely impacted the West African nation.
The fuel shortage in Niger Republic had worsened in recent weeks, prompting the country’s military junta to seek assistance from Nigeria.
On March 16, 2025, Sunday PUNCH reported that a delegation of top Nigerien officials travelled to Abuja, where they negotiated a deal with the Nigerian government for the supply of 300 trucks of petrol.
A senior Nigerian government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the diplomatic sensitivity of the matter, said the fuel deal was part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties and encourage the Niger Republic to return to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“We are not publicizing this move but using it as a strategic bargaining tool. The more they rely on us, the more we can persuade them to rejoin ECOWAS,” the official stated.
Residents of Niger Republic have since reported a significant improvement in fuel availability.
The price of petrol, which had skyrocketed to around N10,000 per litre last week, dropped to approximately N5,000 per litre by Sunday.
A resident of Agadez, Faruku Lawali, confirmed the situation, stating, “The queues at fuel stations are still there, but things are much better now compared to the past few weeks.
We appreciate Nigeria for stepping in when we needed help the most.”
Commercial transport operators, including Usman Aliyu, a bus driver who regularly travels between Nigeria and Niger, also expressed gratitude.
“A litre of petrol that was selling for about N10,000 or 4,800 CFA is now around 2,000 CFA. Nigeria’s intervention came at the right time, and we are grateful,” Aliyu said.
While the Nigeria Customs Service has not officially confirmed the fuel exports, security officials at border checkpoints have acknowledged the movement of petrol tankers into Niger Republic, suggesting that it is part of an official agreement between the two governments.