Group Attributes Hardship to Global Conflict
The City Boy Movement has dismissed recent calls for the reinstatement of petrol subsidies in Nigeria, arguing that the economic hardship experienced by consumers is primarily driven by global geopolitical tensions. According to the group, these international pressures are significantly exacerbating the impact of domestic energy policies on pump prices.
In a statement released in Abuja, the movement identified the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran as a critical factor influencing crude oil prices worldwide. The organization argued that these global dynamics are creating substantial price pressures that extend beyond the scope of national government decisions.
Comrade Sunday Asefon, who serves as the National Director of Students Engagement for the City Boy Movement and as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Students Engagement, addressed the public regarding the fuel crisis. Asefon urged Nigerians to resist what he described as attempts by "subsidy merchants" to exploit current economic difficulties.
According to Asefon, these actors are attempting to pressure the Federal Government into reversing the downstream petroleum reforms implemented in 2023. The movement maintains that such efforts ignore the broader international context affecting energy costs.
Pricing Data and Reform Timeline
Asefon provided specific data regarding the trajectory of fuel prices to support the group's position on the causes of current hardship. He noted that petrol prices have risen from their pre-May 2023 levels to a current range of approximately N1,300 to N1,400 per litre.
The movement argued that this price increase cannot be attributed solely to the removal of subsidies. Instead, Asefon stated that developments in the international oil market have become a major factor in the latest price pressures.
Specifically, the group pointed to the conflict in the Middle East as a significant driver of these global market developments. The City Boy Movement suggested that international crude oil prices are being influenced by geopolitical instability, which in turn affects local pump prices regardless of domestic subsidy status.
Call for Resistance Against Policy Reversal
Following the analysis of price drivers, the City Boy Movement issued a directive to its members and the general public. They called on Nigerians to resist pressure to reverse the downstream petroleum reforms. The group characterized these reforms as necessary adjustments that should not be undone due to external market fluctuations.
The statement emphasized that the current economic pain is a result of compounding factors, including global conflict, rather than solely government policy. By highlighting the role of international tensions, the movement sought to shift the narrative away from domestic political blame regarding the fuel crisis.
Political and Economic Context
The statement by Comrade Asefon aligns with the administration's broader defense of the 2023 downstream petroleum reforms. By attributing price hikes to global events, the group aims to shield the government from criticism regarding the affordability of fuel.
However, the movement also engaged in political rhetoric by labeling critics as "subsidy merchants." This terminology suggests that opposition to current policies is motivated by financial gain rather than genuine concern for economic welfare. Asefon argued that these individuals are trying to exploit the situation to force a policy reversal.
The City Boy Movement's position underscores the complexity of energy pricing in Nigeria, where local costs are tied to international crude oil markets. The group’s assertion that the Middle East conflict is a primary driver of current prices provides a specific geopolitical explanation for the economic conditions faced by consumers since 2023.
Source Attribution and Timeline
The details regarding the City Boy Movement's stance, including the statements by Comrade Sunday Asefon, were reported by Joseph Erunke of Vanguard News. The report was published on September 15, 2026.
The group’s arguments rely on the timeline of the downstream petroleum reforms implemented in May 2023 and the subsequent rise in fuel prices to the N1,300–N1,400 range. The movement connects these domestic economic indicators to the ongoing geopolitical conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
No response from opposing groups or government officials regarding this specific statement was included in the source material provided. The article reflects solely the position articulated by the City Boy Movement through its National Director of Students Engagement.