NNPC and Filling Stations Release New Petrol Prices

Petrol prices in Nigeria continue to rise, and the impact is already being felt across the country as both the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and other filling stations adjust their pump rates. 

The ripple effect has been a sharp drop in fuel consumption, with many Nigerians turning to cheaper alternatives such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Petrol Use falls as prices climb

Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that average daily petrol consumption fell to 49.28 million litres in June 2025, compared to 68.35 million litres in June 2023. 

That’s a 28% decline in just two years. The steep fall is closely linked to the surge in petrol prices since the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023. 

Back then, fuel averaged around ₦195 per litre. Today, Lagos residents are paying about ₦865 per litre, while Abuja and several northern states report prices closer to ₦890–₦895 per litre. In some regions, the pump price is pushing past ₦900.

Different regions, same issues

Across the country, prices vary slightly but remain well above ₦850.

• Lagos – ₦865 per litre
  
• Abuja/North-Central – ₦890 per litre
  
• North-East – ₦895 per litre
  
• South-South/South-East – ₦895 per litre
  

Only a few independent stations in Lagos sell below ₦865, mostly those sourcing directly from Dangote Refinery.

How stations struggle to sell fuel

While motorists complain about the cost, filling station owners are also feeling the squeeze. Many stations say business is painfully slow, with some needing nearly two months to sell a truckload of 30,000 litres.

An Abuja station manager explained that customers now buy fuel strictly when they cannot avoid it. Even generators, once a daily necessity are being used sparingly as families and businesses cut costs.

This trend is not limited to the capital. Reports from Asaba, Kano, Kaduna, and Nasarawa reveal half-empty fuel stations, except for the few that offer slightly lower prices and attract long queues of cars, motorcycles, and tricycles.

CNG is gaining attention

As petrol gets more expensive, CNG is steadily emerging as a serious alternative. More Nigerians are considering it for vehicles and generators, encouraged by promises of wider distribution through upcoming CNG trucks. 

Industry watchers believe the government’s push for gas adoption could reshape the energy market if supply chains improve.

What the petroleum industry is saying

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has raised concerns over dwindling turnover. 

According to its spokesperson, some marketers now sell only one truck every month or two, a trend that could threaten the survival of independent fuel retailers before the end of the decade.

Energy experts also warn that constant changes in pump prices are creating uncertainty. Analyst Henry Adigun noted that the lack of predictability undermines competition and makes it difficult for marketers to recover loans or plan long-term investments.

What you should know

Beyond petrol, competition between Dangote Refinery and private depots has sparked a price war that also touches diesel. 

Some depots have begun cutting prices to lure buyers, a move that could reshape the downstream market in the months ahead.

For now, Nigerians face the daily reality of paying nearly five times the pump price of two years ago. With petrol use declining and alternatives gaining ground, the landscape of the nation’s energy market may look very different in the near future.