AfricaNews Monitoring Team
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has announced an immediate drop in the cost of fuel, following a week of strikes after prices doubled. Jonathan said the price would drop by around 30% in recognition of the "hardships being suffered" by people.
Nigeria has been paralysed by strikes and protests over the government's decision to scrap fuel subsidies.
The unions have not responded to the announcement but one leading activist has firmly rejected it.
"The broadcast by the president was not encouraging, not inspiring and it does not change anything," Alhaji Balarabe Musa, a former Kaduna state governor who has played a leading role in organising protests, told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
He demanded a return to the old price.
The removal of subsidies from 1 January caused petrol prices to rise from 65 naira ($0.40; £0.26) to 140 naira per litre. Mr Jonathan said it would now coast 97 naira.
Before the president's announcement, unions called off street protests due to security concerns, but warned that a week-long general strike would continue.
Jonathan has admitted there has been a near breakdown in law and order in parts of the country as a result of the strike.
Army checkpoints have been seen in parts of the commercial capital Lagos for the first time since the protests began, according to the BBC.
The strike has already cost the economy billions of dollars in lost revenue.
