Precious Anga
Lagos — The cost of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) continued its upward trajectory in April 2026, as Nigerians paid an average retail price of ₦1,532.93 per litre, according to fresh data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.
The figure represents a sharp 18.97 per cent increase from ₦1,288.54 per litre recorded in March, highlighting sustained pressure on household budgets and transport costs across the country.
On a year-on-year basis, the data shows an even starker reality. Petrol prices rose from ₦1,239.33 in April 2025 to ₦1,532.93 in April 2026, reflecting a 23.69 per cent increase within one year.
Across the country, price disparities remain wide. The NBS report revealed that Yobe State recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,599.05 per litre, followed closely by Edo (₦1,595.74) and Bauchi (₦1,589.07). On the other end of the spectrum, Niger State recorded the lowest average price at ₦1,403.89, followed by Sokoto (₦1,404.16) and Katsina (₦1,406.28).
Regional analysis further shows that the South-South zone recorded the highest average retail price at ₦1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West posted the lowest at ₦1,508.81 per litre, underscoring persistent logistical and distribution challenges across zones.
The pressure is not limited to petrol alone. Diesel prices also surged significantly within the same period. According to the NBS, the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil rose by 50.16 per cent month-on-month, climbing from ₦1,648.06 in March to ₦2,474.69 in April 2026.
On a year-on-year comparison, diesel prices increased by 43.67 per cent, rising from ₦1,722.45 in April 2025 to ₦2,474.69 in April 2026, deepening cost pressures for manufacturers, transporters and small businesses already struggling with high operating expenses.
State-level analysis shows Nasarawa recorded the highest diesel price at ₦2,818.94 per litre, followed by Ebonyi (₦2,754.06) and Taraba (₦2,704.76). In contrast, Kebbi recorded the lowest at ₦2,180.28, followed by Kogi (₦2,192.70) and Katsina (₦2,269.14).
By region, the North-East again topped the chart with an average diesel price of ₦2,603 per litre, while the North-West recorded the lowest at ₦2,409.34 per litre, reflecting uneven market conditions across the federation.
Experts link the persistent rise in fuel prices to global and domestic factors, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted supply chains and pushed up crude oil prices internationally. These pressures continue to feed into local pricing structures despite government interventions aimed at stabilising the downstream sector.
For many Nigerians, however, the numbers translate into a daily struggle with transport fares, rising food costs, and increased production expenses, raising fresh concerns about inflationary pressures in the months ahead.
This article was originally posted at sweetcrudereports.com
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