Fuel hike taking mental toll on me, Kunle Remi laments
By Yewande Fasan Nollywood actor Kunle Remi has expressed concern over Nigeria’s economic conditions, criticising the idea of remaining apolitical amid the current challenges. In a video shared on Instagram,
By Yewande Fasan
Nollywood actor Kunle Remi has expressed concern over Nigeria’s economic conditions, criticising the idea of remaining apolitical amid the current challenges.
In a video shared on Instagram, Remi lamented the rising cost of petrol and persistent power outages, describing the situation as increasingly unbearable for ordinary citizens.
He disclosed that he recently purchased fuel at N1,300 per litre, noting that the high cost of running generators has become difficult to sustain.
The actor stressed that, given the severity of the economic crisis, disengagement from political discourse is no longer tenable.
He said, “I don’t even know how to begin this conversation. Usually, I say things like, I don’t get involved in politics. I don’t talk about politics. In fact, the country, the industry, a couple of things, make you, they’ll tell you don’t discuss religion or politics or something, and so you fall into that category where you say I don’t like to talk politics.
“No, that’s the most stupid statement from anybody in Nigeria right now. We should be discussing. We should be talking about it. We should be trying to fix.
“We should be inquiring about what is happening in the nation. There’s nothing like sitting on the fence. Now it doesn’t make any sense.
“Today, I bought fuel, petrol. I bought petrol for one thousand three hundred and something thousand naira. We don’t have light.
The actor questioned why Nigeria, an oil-producing nation, is severely impacted by global oil market fluctuations, and expressed concern for businesses and workers struggling to survive amid expensive diesel and transport costs.
“I don’t understand why Nigeria is one of the first countries to be affected by the war in Iran,” he said.
“A blessed nation, a country that is a resourceful nation, is complaining about fuel price because we are dependent on one refinery, and even the refineries never got the full support of the government, and then the nation has different refineries that don’t function. I don’t understand.”
He added, “I’m blown away because I’m mentally stressed, and I can’t even lie. So you don’t have light. Diesel is expensive. Fuel is expensive. A couple of my staff are letting me understand that to even come to work now is a problem because the transport is hiking, meaning that their salary is not even enough anymore in a very short period.”
Remi's criticism echoes that of fellow actor Wale Akorede, also known as Okunnu, who recently expressed frustration at Nigeria's high fuel costs despite being a major oil producer.
