Apr 6, 2016

Nigeria fuel shortage creates massive queues and black markets

Nigeria’s months-long fuel shortage has resulted in a rise in the cost of goods, commodities and transportation.

Massive queues form outside gas stations as thousands of residents look to fuel their vehicles and generators.

Black markets have sprung up to fill the demand, sometimes at extortionate prices or with diluted fuel.

: A Tuk tuk driver pours the last of his fuel into a bottle to refill his tank in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A mini bus with containers filled with fuel stands on the side of the road selling petrol on the black market in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A black market fuel hawker stands next to the road waiting for a customer in Lagos on April 6, 2016.Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A black market fuel hawker runs across the road carrying a container filled with fuel in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A Tuk tuk loaded wit generators waits in line at a fuel station in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: Roads in Lagos are blocked as people queue outside filling stations to buy fuel on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A man stands with his foot on top of his jerrican waiting to buy some fuel in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A woman holds the fuel tank of a generator under arm as she waits to buy some fuel in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A black market fuel hawker fills the car with fuel on the side of the road in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: People wait in a queue outside of a filing stationing in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A motorcyclist carries empty fuel containers on his motorcycle as he heads to the fuel station Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: A black market fuel hawker dilutes fuel with other liquids on the side of the road in Lagos on April 6, 2016. Fuel dependant Nigeria has been in the grip of fuel scarcity for the last couple of weeks affecting peoples ability to generate electricity. Due to the fuel scarcity, there has been an increase in the price of goods, commodities and transport fares as well as an increased activity of black market fuel hawkers that sell diluted fuel at extortionate prices. (AFP Photo/Stefan Heunis)

: Cars queue to buy fuel at a petrol station in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, April 1, 2016. Nigeria’s oil minister apologized this week for a fuel shortage that has created long lines at gas stations and left travelers stranded on highways in sub-Saharan Africa’s top oil producing country. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

: A man sells fuel on the road side in Kano, Nigeria, Friday, April 1, 2016. Nigeria’s oil minister apologized this week for a fuel shortage that has created long lines at gas stations and left travelers stranded on highways in sub-Saharan Africa’s top oil producing country. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)