by Roqeebah Olaoniye

In the face of the harsh realities we are faced with in Nigeria today, the best explanation we can offer to anyone who asks how we are coping as Nigerians living at home is that “we are resilient people”.

Our resilience has helped us get through the latest petrol price increment episode and here are five ways that show we have adjusted to the new fuel prices;

1. We now let the next guy get ahead of us at filling stations

Imagine yourself at the filling station earlier in May and that young bearded guy in the Honda is pulling stunts trying to get ahead of you. NO right! Not happening. Before you’ll let him in and then it’s at your turn they’ll announce the a new pump price.

2. No more queues

This is sort of spin off from the first but you now know why you no longer feel the need to buy and store up fuel at home and at the office.

3. We have stopped asking Oando attendants “so how much is it now? When are you people reducing yours?” I know I have and I have finally come to terms with driving extra to NNPC outlets just to get that NGN 5.00 reduction.

4. BRT bus cards

Obviously the new way I tell you. Though I hear they’ve stopped giving them out. You know you have accepted the new reality of NGN 145 per litre when you find yourself on the bus queue to TBS on a Monday morning, car keys on the coffee table at home. You define your own cool please.

5. And finally, our sixth senses are already collectively anticipating the next increment. Because in Nigeria, you know you’ve accepted the new reality of a major crisis situation when you are already mentally preparing for the next meltdown.