Nigeria: Pump attendants exploit petrol buyers nationwide
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Many Nigerians are growing frustrated with sharp practices at petrol stations, where pump attendants allegedly manipulate dispensing machines to cheat customers. These tricks, which often go unchecked, cost consumers millions of litres of fuel each year.
Despite an official daily petrol consumption of about 50 million litres nationwide, the reality at many filling stations is troubling. Investigations show that attendants, who typically earn meagre salaries, sometimes deliberately shortchange customers to make extra money.
“I Was Overcharged”
Badmus Samami shared his recent ordeal at a Lagos filling station. He bought fuel worth N20,000 with his ATM card, only to later discover he had been billed N22,000. When he demanded a receipt, the attendant initially refused, citing flimsy excuses, until pressure from other customers forced the issue.
Manipulated Pumps in Action
A motorist in Oshodi suspected foul play when his fuel gauge didn’t match what he was paying for. To confirm, he used a 25-litre jerrycan. The pump claimed to have dispensed the full amount, but the container wasn’t filled. After a heated argument, the attendant reluctantly topped it up.
According to motorists, cheating tends to worsen during scarcity periods, when attendants know desperate buyers have little choice.
Different Experiences Across the States
Uyo, Akwa Ibom: Some stations insisted on fair dealing, while others were caught shortchanging buyers, with one station selling a litre for N900 but not filling containers properly.
Calabar, Cross River: A reporter found inconsistent pump readings at different filling stations. One manager blamed power issues but admitted that pumps should be shut down if variation is too high.
Ondo State: Motorists complained that independent marketers were the worst culprits, while major stations like NNPC and MRS were seen as more reliable.
Ekiti State: Okada riders and taxi drivers overwhelmingly preferred trusted major marketers, avoiding independent stations accused of manipulating meters.
Oyo State: Commercial drivers, tricycle operators, and motorcyclists lamented frequent cheating, with some stations even mixing fuel. Many drivers said they only trusted a handful of major stations.
Kebbi State: The state government recently stepped in, setting up a special committee to protect consumers against pump manipulation and extortion.
Why It Persists
A major reason behind unchecked fraud is the weak enforcement of regulations. The agency responsible for monitoring petrol stations reportedly lacks enough staff and is rarely seen at retail outlets. As a result, consumers are left largely unprotected, relying on personal vigilance and word of mouth to avoid dishonest stations.
