Precious Anga

Lagos — Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) prices kept rising in April 2026, with Nigerians paying an average of ₦1,532.93 per litre, as per the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The image shows a significant 18.97 percent rise from ₦1,288.54 per liter noted in March, indicating ongoing strain on family finances and transportation expenses throughout the nation.

From one year to the next, the data reveals a more alarming situation. The cost of gasoline increased from ₦1,239.33 in April 2025 to ₦1,532.93 in April 2026, indicating a 23.69 percent rise over the course of a year.

Throughout the nation, significant price differences continue to exist. According to the NBS report, Yobe State had the highest average petrol price at ₦1,599.05 per litre, closely followed by Edo (₦1,595.74) and Bauchi (₦1,589.07). At the lower end, Niger State had the lowest average price at ₦1,403.89, followed by Sokoto (₦1,404.16) and Katsina (₦1,406.28).

Further regional analysis reveals that the South-South region had the highest average retail price at ₦1,566.76 per litre, whereas the North-West had the lowest at ₦1,508.81 per litre, highlighting ongoing issues with logistics and distribution across different areas.

The pressure is not only affecting petrol. Diesel costs also increased substantially during the same time frame. As per the NBS, the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil went up by 50.16 per cent from one month to the next, moving from ₦1,648.06 in March to ₦2,474.69 in April 2026.

Compared to the previous year, diesel costs went up by 43.67 percent, moving from ₦1,722.45 in April 2025 to ₦2,474.69 in April 2026, increasing financial burdens on manufacturers, transport companies, and small enterprises that are already facing high operational costs.

State-level analysis reveals that Nasarawa had the highest diesel price at ₦2,818.94 per litre, followed by Ebonyi (₦2,754.06) and Taraba (₦2,704.76). On the other hand, Kebbi had the lowest price at ₦2,180.28, followed by Kogi (₦2,192.70) and Katsina (₦2,269.14).

In terms of region, the North-East once more led the ranking with an average diesel price of ₦2,603 per liter, whereas the North-West had the lowest at ₦2,409.34 per liter, indicating inconsistent market situations throughout the country.

Scholars associate the ongoing increase in fuel costs with global and local influences, such as political conflicts in the Middle East, which have caused disruptions in supply networks and led to higher international crude oil prices. These pressures keep affecting local pricing systems even though authorities have implemented measures to stabilize the distribution sector.

Yet for numerous Nigerians, these figures represent a constant battle with transportation charges, growing food prices, and higher manufacturing costs, sparking new worries about inflationary trends in the coming months.