Nigeria: gas cans offered at the end of a chic evening cause scandal

At a gas station, Nigerians refuel ahead of the price hike, on September 3, 2020 in Abuja.

(Illustrative photo) REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Nigeria has been facing a major fuel shortage for nearly a month.

Although the country is the leading producer of crude oil in Africa, it imports almost all of its fuel, due to a lack of efficient infrastructure.

The consequences of this crisis are sometimes unexpected, as was the case this weekend in Lagos State.

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With our correspondent in Lagos,

Lagos State has opened an investigation after a scandalous case.

Gasoline jerrycans were distributed at a party.

In this Nigerian state, gasoline has been so scarce lately that it has almost become a luxury item.

10-litre cans of fuel have thus replaced the traditional souvenir gifts distributed to people invited to a high society evening.

A video, widely shared on social networks, shows women in gala dress, dancing, jerrycan in hand.

On Saturday, local authorities issued a statement to denounce " 

 " and which goes " 

 ".

The room in which this evening was organized was closed in the process by the Lagos State government which promised to prosecute all those involved in this case.

►Also read: Nigeria has been facing a major gasoline shortage for almost a month

The organizer of the evening, Pearl Chidinma Ogbolu, apologized assuring that she had only wished " 

 ", without thinking that this could shock Nigerians who are often forced to queue for several hours to access a gas pump.

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• Nigeria

• Oil

• Energies

• Transport