Amid soaring energy costs and the ripple effects of subsidy removal, Nigerians spent a staggering ₦1.3 trillion on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in June 2025. According to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), national petrol consumption reached 1.44 billion litres, underscoring the country’s heavy reliance on petrol for transport and power generation.
The data confirms that Nigerians consume more petrol than any other fuel. With the nation’s unreliable electricity supply, millions of households and businesses remain dependent on generators, further driving up PMS demand.
Lagos, Ogun and FCT Lead Demand
Breaking down state allocations, Lagos consumed 205.7 million litres valued at ₦185.1bn, making it the single largest consumer. Ogun State followed with 88.7 million litres (₦79.8bn), while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) received 77.5 million litres worth ₦69.8bn.
Other top consumers included Oyo with 72.8 million litres (₦65.5bn). On the lower end, Jigawa State recorded just 9.4 million litres (₦8.5bn), while Ebonyi (₦9.5bn), Yobe (₦10.5bn), and Bayelsa (₦10.7bn) also ranked among the lowest.
Regional Breakdown of Spending
At the regional level, the South-West emerged as the top consumer, with 452.9 million litres valued at ₦407.7bn. The North-Central zone came second with 247.4 million litres worth ₦222.4bn, while the North-West consumed 230 million litres (₦207bn).
The South-South recorded ₦202.9bn in spending on 224.9 million litres, while the North-East consumed 152.8 million litres (₦137.5bn). The South-East recorded the lowest consumption, with 132.7 million litres valued at ₦119.6bn.
Dangote Refinery Brings Relief
Commenting on the market, Aliko Dangote revealed that Nigerians currently pay just 55% of what neighbouring countries spend on petrol, thanks to local refining. His 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery has been selling PMS between ₦815 and ₦820 per litre, well below the regional average of about ₦1,600 per litre ($1).
Dangote noted: “In neighbouring countries, the average price of petrol is around ₦1,600. At our refinery, we sell between ₦815 and ₦820. Many Nigerians do not realise they are paying almost half of what others in West Africa pay.”
From Subsidy Removal to Market Reality
Following the subsidy removal in May 2023, petrol prices jumped from ₦200 per litre to as high as ₦1,200 per litre in 2024 when the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) was still the sole importer. The start of domestic refining at Dangote helped drive prices back below ₦900 per litre, offering some relief to consumers.
Still, many Nigerians insist current pump prices remain high. Some argue that for inflation to ease, PMS should fall to between ₦200 and ₦500 per litre. A Lagos resident, Favour Samson, said: “Selling petrol above ₦850 per litre is still too high and is fuelling inflation. If prices drop to ₦500 or less, the economy will feel real relief.”
The Bigger Picture
The June figures highlight Nigeria’s uneven petrol consumption pattern, shaped by population density, vehicle ownership, and industrial activity. Urban and commercial hubs such as Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, and Kano dominate demand, while sparsely populated states consume far less.
While the Dangote Refinery has stabilised prices compared to the regional average, Nigeria’s petrol bill of ₦1.3tn in a single month reflects the enormous weight energy places on household budgets and the wider economy.