Nigerian filmmaker and director Kunle Afolayan has issued a stark warning about the unsustainable cost of diesel, revealing it now cripples a major part of his business operations. The celebrated cultural entrepreneur stated that his KAP Village now incurs a staggering monthly expense of approximately N11 million solely on diesel—a cost driven by a recent, sharp price surge.
The Staggering Numbers Behind the Crisis
Afolayan provided concrete figures that illustrate the crisis. According to his account, the price of diesel has skyrocketed to around ₦1,500 per litre. This marks a dramatic increase from roughly ₦995 to ₦1,000 just days prior, representing a surge of approximately 50 percent in a very short timeframe.
"I’ve been sad, sad because I can’t cope with the N1,500 per litre of diesel. I can’t even comprehend it," Afolayan stated, directly linking his emotional distress to the intense economic pressure.
A Direct Threat to Creative Viability
The impact is quantifiable and severe. "In one of the businesses that we run, the KAP Village, we spend about N11 million in four or five weeks on diesel," Afolayan disclosed. This multi-million-naira expenditure, required simply to maintain basic operations due to unreliable grid power, now directly threatens the financial viability of his creative enterprise.
A Crisis-Forced Pivot to Renewable Energy
Confronted with this unsustainable burden, Afolayan outlined a desperate but necessary shift. "But now from like N1,000 or ₦995 to ₦1,500-something, we need a loan to upgrade our solar power," he explained. This statement highlights a critical trend: the move toward renewable energy, often seen as a long-term strategic goal, is being accelerated by immediate crisis. For many businesses, the transition now comes with the added strain of debt.
The Bigger Picture: Nigeria's Energy Dilemma
Afolayan's predicament is a microcosm of a broader challenge facing Nigerian businesses, particularly in the creative and SME sectors. Reliance on diesel generators is a costly necessity for many, making them acutely vulnerable to fuel market volatility. This crisis underscores the urgent need for more stable and affordable energy solutions to protect the nation's economic and cultural producers.
