Nigeria’s main labour unions yesterday threatened to shut down the country next week amid increasingly volatile protests over soaring petrol prices in Africa’s largest oil producer.

We advise Nigerians to stockpile basic needs, especially food and water

The government however showed no signs of retreating on its policy that eliminated fuel subsidies on January 1, causing petrol prices to instantly more than double in a country where most people live on less than $2 per day.

Taxi and bus fares have followed suit, doubling the cost of commutes, and other fallout was also feared in the continent’s most populous nation, including on food prices.

There have been claims that numerous people have not returned to the country’s main cities from their hometowns after the holidays because they cannot afford the trip.

“From Monday 9th Jan 2012, all offices, oil production centres, air and sea ports, fuel stations, markets, banks, amongst others, will be shut down,” a statement signed by the heads of the country’s two main labour unions said.

“We advise Nigerians to stockpile basic needs, especially food and water.”

President Goodluck Jonathan convened an emergency cabinet meeting yesterdday that addressed fuel subsidies. His information minister said afterward that measures would be taken to ease the blow of the increase, such as improved public transport.