By Ayo Kehinde
Nigerian households received only marginal relief in cooking fuel costs in May 2026, as the average retail price of household kerosene declined slightly from the previous month, but remained significantly higher than levels recorded a year earlier.
Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the average retail price of household kerosene fell by 0.17 percent month-on-month to ₦2,971.94 per litre in May from ₦2,976.94 in April. However, on a year-on-year basis, the price surged by 36.62 percent compared with ₦2,175.29 recorded in May 2025.
The figures underscore the persistent pressure on household energy costs despite the recent moderation in Nigeria’s broader inflation rate.
A state-by-state breakdown revealed significant disparities in kerosene prices across the country. Sokoto recorded the highest average retail price at ₦3,984.09 per litre, followed by Jigawa at ₦3,824.68 and Taraba at ₦3,595.64. In contrast, Bayelsa posted the lowest average price at ₦2,018.79, while Kogi and Ekiti recorded ₦2,348.81 and ₦2,511.31, respectively.
Regional analysis showed the North-West remained the most expensive zone for kerosene purchases, with an average price of ₦3,343.12 per litre, followed by the North-East at ₦3,004.30. The South-South recorded the lowest zonal average at ₦2,777.76.
The NBS data also showed a sharper decline in the average price paid by consumers purchasing kerosene in gallon quantities. The average retail price per gallon fell by 10.80 percent month-on-month to ₦11,949.39 in May from ₦13,396.23 in April. Despite the monthly decline, the figure remained 40.88 percent higher than the ₦8,482.22 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Again, Sokoto emerged as the most expensive state, with consumers paying an average of ₦15,928.39 per gallon, closely followed by Kebbi at ₦15,855.73 and Niger State at ₦14,465.43. On the other end of the spectrum, Bayelsa recorded the lowest average price at ₦7,084.56, while Ekiti and Kwara followed at ₦9,300.92 and ₦9,419.85, respectively.
While the latest figures suggest some easing in kerosene prices compared to April, the steep annual increases indicate that many households continue to grapple with elevated energy costs, particularly in northern states where prices remain well above the national average. The trend highlights the uneven distribution of energy costs across the country and the lingering strain on household purchasing power despite signs of broader inflation moderation.
