Lagos, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ranked as the highest consumers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in June, according to new figures from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Petrol Consumption in June
The regulator’s truck-out report showed that 1.44 billion litres of petrol were distributed nationwide during the month. However, the data also revealed sharp variations in consumption, reflecting the country’s economic geography and population density.
Lagos alone accounted for 205.7 million litres, reinforcing its position as the country’s commercial hub and the state with the highest fuel demand. This volume is significantly higher than the 132.7 million litres consumed by the entire South-East region within the same period.
Top-Consuming States
Following Lagos, Ogun State consumed 88.7 million litres, while the FCT recorded 77.5 million litres. Analysts note that Ogun’s proximity to Lagos and its expanding industrial base continue to drive fuel demand. Similarly, Abuja’s concentration of government institutions and businesses makes it a steady high-volume consumer.
Neighbouring Oyo State ranked next with 72.8 million litres. In contrast, Jigawa State recorded the lowest allocation at just 9.4 million litres, followed closely by Ebonyi (10.5 million litres), Yobe (11.7 million litres), and Bayelsa (11.9 million litres).
Regional Breakdown
Regionally, the South-West dominated consumption with 452.95 million litres, nearly one-third of the national total. Apart from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo, the zone’s demand included Osun (35.48 million litres), Ondo (35.05 million litres), and Ekiti (15.26 million litres).
The North-Central followed with 247.4 million litres, led by the FCT’s 77.5 million litres. Niger consumed 40.7 million litres, while Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Plateau shared the remainder.
In the North-West, consumption reached 230 million litres, with Kano topping at 68.22 million litres, ahead of Kaduna (43.13 million litres) and Sokoto (37.04 million litres).
The South-South consumed 224.9 million litres, led by Delta’s 68.5 million litres, while Rivers and Edo took 44.6 million litres and 43.1 million litres, respectively. Meanwhile, Bayelsa posted one of the lowest nationwide at 11.9 million litres.
The North-East recorded 152.8 million litres, with Adamawa leading at 56.9 million litres, followed by Bauchi (31 million litres).
Finally, the South-East posted the lowest regional total at 132.7 million litres, with Anambra (40.5 million litres), Imo (30.6 million litres), and Enugu (27.4 million litres) ranking highest within the zone.
Consumption Drivers
The disparities in fuel consumption, according to analysts, are largely explained by population density, vehicle ownership, and industrial activity. Urban and industrial centres such as Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, and Kano dominate demand, while less populated states such as Jigawa, Ebonyi, and Bayelsa trail behind.
Drop in Petrol Supply
NMDPRA spokesperson George Ene-Ita disclosed that June’s total evacuation stood at 1,440,768,129 litres, representing a daily average of 48.02 million litres.
However, petrol supply fell compared to the previous month. Volumes dropped by 290.5 million litres, from 1.77 billion litres in May to 1.48 billion litres in June, marking a 16.4 per cent decline. Similarly, truck-out volumes dipped by 246.66 million litres, a 14.6 per cent fall during the same period.
Outlook
The data underscores Nigeria’s uneven fuel demand, with urban economies driving consumption at a scale unmatched by rural states. As policymakers push for greater domestic refining and alternative energy adoption, these patterns highlight the structural pressures shaping Nigeria’s downstream sector.