Fuel Crisis Deepens As Petrol Price Surges By 22% Nationwide

According to the latest data, this represents a 22.55% rise from ₦1,051.47 recorded in February 2026, and a 2.13% increase compared to ₦1,261.65 recorded in March 2025.

A state-by-state breakdown shows wide variations in pump prices across the country. Anambra recorded the highest average price at ₦1,441.22 per litre, followed by Sokoto at ₦1,377.55 and Borno at ₦1,375.16.

On the lower end, Lagos recorded ₦1,162.71 per litre, while Ogun and Kaduna posted ₦1,169.78 and ₦1,193.40 respectively.

Regionally, the North-East recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,336.50, while the South-West had the lowest at ₦1,232.46.

The report also showed that the average price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) rose to ₦1,648.08 per litre in March 2026. This marks a 3.05% increase year-on-year and a sharp 16.05% rise from ₦1,420.17 in February 2026.

Ebonyi recorded the highest diesel price at ₦2,262.29, followed by Akwa Ibom at ₦1,895.72 and Osun at ₦1,872.15. Kogi posted the lowest at ₦1,383.40, while Katsina and Enugu recorded ₦1,438.25 and ₦1,480.06 respectively.

At the zonal level, the South-East recorded the highest diesel price at ₦1,730.14, while the North-Central had the lowest at ₦1,593.11.

The NBS also reported a rise in cooking gas prices. The average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder increased by 12.60% to ₦7,655.73 in March 2026, up from ₦6,799.18 in February, and 4.55% higher than March 2025.

Kaduna recorded the highest price for 5kg LPG at ₦9,212.21, followed by Lagos at ₦8,909.73 and Taraba at ₦8,802.78. Bauchi had the lowest at ₦6,295.40.

For 12.5kg cylinders, the average price rose by 15.62% to ₦19,652.83 in March 2026, compared to ₦16,997.94 in February. On a yearly basis, this reflects a 6.48% increase.

Nasarawa recorded the highest 12.5kg LPG price at ₦23,418.12, followed by Kaduna at ₦23,030.52 and Akwa Ibom at ₦22,816.74, while Bauchi posted the lowest at ₦15,738.50.