The Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) has threatened to mobilise commercial drivers for a nationwide protest over the rising cost of petrol, higher customs duties, expensive vehicle repairs and what it described as worsening economic hardship.
The association said the increasing cost of operating commercial vehicles had left many drivers struggling to cover basic household expenses, with daily petrol expenditure now ranging between N50,000 and N100,000 depending on the route.
In a statement signed by its President, Akintade S. Abiodun, and Publicity Secretary, Feyisayo Ajimatanrareje, the group said the challenges facing commercial drivers had become more severe since its 2022 statewide protest against multiple levies imposed at motor parks and along transport routes.
“A whole lot has got worse since our statewide protest in 2022 demanding an end to multiple tolling units by officials of RTEAN and NURTW, also known as agberos or garages and parks management in some states,” JDWAN said.
“JDWAN has been bedevilled with much more catastrophic conditions that make the agbero problem minuscule.”
The association attributed much of the pressure facing drivers to the increase in petrol prices, claiming that the price had risen from about N180 per litre to approximately N1,500.
It argued that wages had not risen at a comparable rate, leaving workers and other low- and middle-income earners unable to absorb the increase in transportation and living costs.
JDWAN also blamed the removal of fuel subsidy for worsening the financial burden on informal workers, small businesses and households.
The group further cited the exit, restructuring or downsizing of several multinational companies as evidence of what it described as a difficult business environment in Nigeria.
Among the companies it listed were GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria, Shoprite Nigeria, Procter & Gamble Nigeria, Unilever Nigeria, Microsoft Nigeria, TotalEnergies Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria, Kimberly-Clark Nigeria, Diageo, Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria, Equinor Nigeria, Bolt Food and Jumia Food Nigeria.
The association said the depreciation of the naira and higher customs duties had also driven up the cost of spare parts and vehicle repairs.
It cited a serpentine belt as an example, claiming that an item previously sold for about N2,000 now costs around N15,000.
JDWAN also claimed that tyres which previously cost approximately N7,000 now sell for more than N50,000, while engine prices had risen from around N250,000 to over N1 million.
Similarly, it alleged that vehicles previously valued at about N1.5 million now cost roughly N8 million.
The association said the combined effect of fuel costs, vehicle maintenance and levies had made it increasingly difficult for drivers to save money for repairs.
“There is no driver that can save money to maintain their vehicle anymore. Once our car gets faulty, we have to go hunt for loans or park it somewhere and become beggars,” the group said.
JDWAN also complained about collections at motor parks and along transport routes, alleging that some drivers could lose as much as 80 per cent of their daily earnings to fuel expenses and what it described as government-backed “agbero” collections.
According to the association, the situation leaves many drivers with insufficient income to provide food and other necessities for their families.
It warned that prolonged economic hardship could worsen unemployment, hunger and insecurity, particularly among vulnerable Nigerians.
“If the biggest manufacturers can exit Nigeria because of the cost of fuel and anti-poor policies like increased custom duty, then how will drivers, SMEs and working Nigerian citizens afford it?” JDWAN asked.
The association also criticised the cost of petrol in Nigeria compared with earnings and public infrastructure, arguing that Nigerians were paying heavily for fuel without sufficient relief through wages, public services or infrastructure.
“There is no oil-producing country in the world that pays so much for fuel like Nigeria without palliatives and subsidies in other sectors to cushion the effect with adequate infrastructure to show for it,” it said.
JDWAN further renewed its complaint about multiple tolling points allegedly imposed on commercial drivers, arguing that the collections add to the financial pressure faced by transport operators.
The association listed three demands for the Federal Government: a reversal of the fuel subsidy removal and reduction of petrol prices to what it described as the 2023 level of N180 per litre; reversal of customs duties to their 2023 rates; and an increase in workers’ salaries.
JDWAN said current economic policies had made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford food, healthcare and other basic necessities.
“Of what use is a policy if it makes citizens not able to buy food, afford healthcare and life essentials for his family?” the association asked.
It also criticised the N70,000 minimum wage, arguing that the amount was inadequate to meet the needs of an individual, much less a family.
The association called on commercial drivers nationwide to support its campaign for improved economic conditions.
It said it would await responses from the state and Federal Governments before deciding whether to proceed with a nationwide protest.
