BENIN — The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged Nigerians to stop complaining about the rising cost of petrol, saying motorists in the United Kingdom pay the equivalent of more than ₦3,000 for a litre.


Okpebholo made the remarks on Thursday while speaking at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo State.


The governor said he visited London the previous week and deliberately went to a filling station with a friend to compare petrol prices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.


According to him, petrol in London costs about ₦3,000 or more per litre after conversion to naira.


“When we complained about cost of petrol, I was in London last week. I told my friend, ‘Let’s go and buy fuel just to know the cost of fuel between Nigeria and England.’ Let me tell you, after conversion, it’s about 3,000-something for one litre of fuel,” Okpebholo said.


He subsequently said Nigerians were doing well in terms of petrol prices compared with motorists in the UK.


“We are doing very well here. The President is stabilising the economy. He’s an economist,” the governor said.


Okpebholo acknowledged that the economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government have been difficult but expressed optimism that they would eventually produce positive results.


He likened the situation to an aircraft taking off, explaining that passengers are not served food until the plane reaches cruising altitude.


“I want to let you know, very soon Nigeria will be on the cruising level,” he said.


The governor also cited ongoing road construction as evidence of development under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.


His comments came amid continuing concerns among Nigerians over petrol prices, transportation costs and the broader rise in the cost of living.


At the event, Okpebholo also expressed support for efforts to rehabilitate the Benin-Asaba Road, a major highway linking Edo and Delta states.