Nigeria: Fuel lines lengthen in Abuja and Lagos as of July 29 after authorities attribute tight fuel supplies to vessel discharge disruptions

Lines for fuel had reportedly lengthened in the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos as of July 29 after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the state-owned and sole importer of gasoline in the country, recently attributed prevailing tight fuel supplies in those areas to a "hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels." Gasoline prices have risen as some gas stations have suspended sales. NNPC officials did not immediately indicate when supplies of gasoline would normalize.

Long lines at operating gas stations may spill over onto adjacent thoroughfares and cause traffic disruptions. If the shortages persist over a protracted period, public transport disruptions cannot be ruled out. Frustrated consumers may stage protests to denounce the fuel shortages and increased prices; the potential for disruptive protest activity will likely increase the longer the fuel shortages persist.