Northern Nigerian Breaking News

Increasing gas prices worsen living conditions as over 8% of N70,000 minimum wage to be spent on gas purchase in Northern Nigeria

By Aminu Abubakar

Nigeria has continued to battle with rising inflation.

Nigeria’s inflation rate rose slightly in September 2024 to 32.70%, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

In a recent report, SolaceBase noted that rising inflation puts Northerners on the brink of more poverty.

This development is even as gas prices has recorded a major increase between August 2023 and September 2024, worsening the living conditions of the people, especially in terms of capacity to feed.

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Already, Taraba recorded an inflation figure of 38.59% for food and 29.68% for general inflation. Food inflation in Zamfara stands at 39.40% while general inflation hits 34.93%.

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The poverty is more striking in Northern Nigeria given that  4.60 million persons are said to be poor in Kano,  the figure stands at 2.80 million in Katsina, the figure stands at 1.91 million in Kebbi, 2.22 million persons are quoted to be poor in Plateau, Yobe state multidimensional poverty stands at 1.36 million while Zamfara stands at 1.80 million, the poverty rate in Sokoto is 2.63 million per details by the National Bureau of Statistics.

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Another challenge facing Northern states is the price of gas in the country. Nigeria has continued to witness an increase in the price of gasoline, a development that has risen from time to time.

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Each 5Kg of gas in Borno is sold at N7,089 as of September 2024,  per details by the National Bureau of Statistics which would mean that even if the N70,000 minimum wage is approved, gas alone takes 10% of the minimum wage.

The price represents an increase from the N4,000 which it sold in August 2023.

In Kebbi, gas sold at N5,950 in September 2024, meaning that with N70,000 minimum wage a 5Kg gas takes 8.5%, that is if the 70,000 wage is approved. As of August 2023, 5Kg gas sold for N3865.

In Kano, 5Kg takes 8.7%, with 5Kg selling for N6, 133. The percentage in Benue stands at 8.7% with 5Kg selling at N6143. Gas price N6, 690, in Kogi state, with 5Kg gas selling for N6421, it would mean that, if the N70,000 minimum wage comes into implementation, 9.1% of the minimum wage has been used for 5Kg gas.

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In August 2023, 5Kg gas sold for N4,400 in Kano, meaning that there has been a major increase in price between August 2023 and September 2024.

In Kwara N6, 771 for 5Kg  will mean 9.6% of the 70,000 minimum wage, the cost of 5Kg gas stands at N6,528 in Nasarawa, meaning that 9.3% of the minimum wage would have gone for 5Kg gas. 5kg gas sold for N4, 816 in August 2023.

In Taraba 5Kg gas costs for N7, 075, which would mean that the gas price would have taken 10% of minimum wage if when implemented, 5kg sold for N4, 210 as of August 2023.

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In Jigawa state, 5Kg gas cost N6,277 as of September 2024, which would mean that 8.9% of the minimum wage would have been used for purchasing gas. However, as of August 2023, 5 kg sold at N4,177.

With 5 kg gas costing N6,727 in Zamfara, it would mean that the minimum wage would be deflated by 9.6% due to the cost of gas.

In Katsina 5 kg cost N6,683, which means that 9.5#% of minimum wage if approved would go for gas. As of August 2023, 5 kg sold for N4,250.

The situation in Kaduna shows that 9.2% of minimum wage will be used to purchase gas, with 5 kg gas selling for N6,470 in September 2024, however as of August 2023, it sold for N4,583.

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In Niger state gas will take 9.5% of minimum wage, with the 5 kg gas costing N6, 706.

This development comes as Nigerians including Northerners continue to lament soaring energy costs.

This situation has also left many Nigerians reverting to models like firewood, which is said to be harmful to the health and climate.

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