Edo: Nigerians React to Okpebholo’s ₦3,000 UK Fuel Comparison

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s recent comments comparing fuel prices in Nigeria to those in the United Kingdom have sparked heavy backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing him of misleading the public with a flawed comparison.

Okpebholo had said during a public event that after converting UK pump prices, fuel costs “about 3,000-something” per litre in England, higher than what Nigerians currently pay.

He argued that this showed Nigerians were “doing very well” under the current economic reforms.

The comments quickly drew sharp criticism online. Many commenters pointed out the income rates between the UK and Nigeria, nothing that the governor’s analysis was flawed.

“A Lagos salary is not a London salary. Comparing fuel prices without comparing incomes is not economics, it’s misdirection,” one wrote.

“Minimum wage in the UK is £12.71 per hour. At current conversion rate that’s 22,860. Their petrol is at 3,000/litre according to him. Someone with only one hr salary in UK will buy about 7.62litres of fuel with just one hour wage. In Nigeria minimum wage/month is N70,000… for every hour of work in Nigeria working for 8hrs/day, the worker will make N437.5/hr… N437.5 cannot even afford a litre of petrol in Nigeria. So what’s the comparison for?” another user wrote.

Others were more direct in their criticism. With one writing, “Can this man be stopped from speaking publicly and sent back to the village he belongs to? Since I started hearing of Monday Okpebholo till date, he has never made a statement that makes sense, what a shame to Edo people.”

Another user added: “Look at the kind of FOOLS occupying leadership positions in this country. You did straight up conversion on fuel prices… I hope you’re going to do straight up conversion on minimum wages too.”

The reactions come amid persistent public concern in Nigeria over the cost of living and petrol prices, following the removal of fuel subsidy and subsequent pump price adjustments.