Nigeria Petrol Price Hits N1,364 Per Litre in Abuja and N1,320 in Lagos After NNPCL Adjustment

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has raised petrol pump prices at its filling stations across Nigeria following an increase of up to 7 dollars per barrel in its official selling prices for crude oil for May 2026. A market survey conducted on Thursday April 30 showed that NNPCL stations in Abuja have adjusted their petrol price to 1,364 naira per litre from the previous 1,295 naira, representing an increase of 69 naira per litre. In Lagos, NNPCL stations raised prices to 1,320 naira per litre from 1,245 naira.

The new fuel prices have taken effect at several NNPCL stations across the Federal Capital Territory, including Gwarimpa, Kubwa Expressway, Wuse Zone 6, and Zone 4. An attendant at one of the Abuja outlets confirmed the adjustment. Other filling stations in Abuja including MRS, BOVAS, AA Rano, Emedab, Empire Energy, and Ranoil are selling petrol at rates ranging from 1,365 to 1,440 naira per litre, making this the steepest pump price seen in Nigeria since early 2026.

Why Prices Have Increased

NNPCL reviewed prices upward across all 37 Nigerian crude streams, with Nigeria's flagship Bonny Light crude rising by approximately 6.13 dollars per barrel compared to April levels and Forcados crude increasing by approximately 7.01 dollars per barrel. The increase in global crude oil prices is being driven by sustained geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran in the Middle East, which have pushed Brent crude to approximately 117 dollars per barrel and WTI to approximately 105 dollars per barrel.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery also increased its ex-depot petrol price by 75 naira before NNPCL's adjustment, raising it from 1,200 to 1,275 naira per litre. Depot owners subsequently raised their prices to 1,320 naira per litre, creating the chain of adjustments that has now reached petrol consumers at filling stations across the country.

Impact on Nigerian Households

The sharp increase in petrol prices arrives on the back of the Workers Day celebration during which Nigerian labour leaders had called for measures to reduce the cost of living burden on workers. This rise, from approximately 900 naira per litre in February to between 1,364 and 1,440 naira in some locations today, represents a substantial increase in the fuel costs that underpin transportation, food prices, and the running of generators across the country.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria condemned the latest increase and called for presidential intervention to cushion the impact on ordinary Nigerians. Economists warned that the fuel price increase will worsen inflation and directly affect household incomes at a moment when many Nigerian families are already under significant financial pressure.