Nigeria’s transport fuel costs rose sharply in April 2026 as the average retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) climbed to ₦1,532.93 per litre nationwide, reflecting sustained inflationary pressures in the downstream petroleum sector.
This is according to the latest Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed broad-based increases in fuel prices across states and regions amid ongoing deregulation and supply chain challenges.
The report revealed that petrol prices rose by 18.97 percent month-on-month, increasing from ₦1,288.54 in March 2026 to ₦1,532.93 in April 2026. On a year-on-year basis, prices jumped 23.69 percent from ₦1,239.33 recorded in April 2025.
State-level data showed wide disparities in pricing across the country. Yobe recorded the highest average retail price at ₦1,599.05 per litre, followed closely by Edo at ₦1,595.74 and Bauchi at ₦1,589.07. In contrast, Niger recorded the lowest average price at ₦1,403.89, followed by Sokoto at ₦1,404.16 and Katsina at ₦1,406.28.
Regionally, the South-South recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West recorded the lowest at ₦1,508.81, highlighting persistent geographical disparities in fuel distribution and logistics costs.
The NBS noted that price variations reflect differences in transportation expenses, depot proximity, infrastructure constraints, and market competition within the downstream sector. Deregulation of petrol pricing, foreign exchange pressures, and distribution inefficiencies continue to influence retail costs nationwide.
Energy cost pressures remain a major driver of inflation in Nigeria, affecting transport fares, production costs, and household spending.
A recent retail survey showed that petrol prices in some cities ranged between ₦1,200 and ₦1,500 per litre in April and May 2026, while cooking gas prices also remained elevated, underscoring sustained pressure on household energy budgets across the country.
