The authorities in Nigeria say traditional rulers have advocated a rise in fuel prices to help resolve shortages on the domestic market.

A spokesman for the military government said there was consensus among chiefs who met General Abubakar Abdulsalami that a pricing system was needed to resolve the crisis.

The government petroleum adviser, Aret Adams, has already said prices would have to rise soon.

Nigeria has faced fuel shortages for most of this year, with queues at many petrol stations.