The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that petrol prices in Nigeria hit new highs in June 2025, with five states recording average pump prices significantly above the national mean of ₦1,037.66 per litre.
According to the NBS Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch, disparities in distribution efficiency, transportation costs, and regional demand patterns have driven fuel prices beyond ₦1,100 per litre in some states—despite efforts by the Dangote Refinery and marketers to stabilise the market.
1. Jigawa – ₦1,107.52/litre
Jigawa topped the chart in June 2025 with an average PMS price of ₦1,107.52. This marks a sharp rise from ₦847.00 recorded in June 2024 and reflects persistent logistical and distribution hurdles in the North-West region. Despite no major supply disruptions, the state continues to suffer the ripple effects of subsidy removal and insufficient bulk supply to independent marketers.
2. Ondo – ₦1,104.80/litre
Despite its status as an oil-producing state, Ondo recorded Nigeria’s second-highest petrol price. Up from ₦1,083.47 in May 2025 and ₦747.86 in June 2024, the state’s rising fuel cost contrasts its low inflation rate of 18.2%, suggesting that structural inefficiencies in the supply chain not just inflation are influencing pump prices.
3. Lagos – ₦1,100.29/litre
In a surprising twist, Lagos, host to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and a major downstream hub, emerged third. Petrol averaged ₦1,100.29, slightly up from ₦1,077.05 in May 2025. While the refinery announced multiple ex-depot price cuts, pump prices remained sticky due to speculative pricing by retailers. Marketers reportedly resisted downward adjustments despite MRS slashing retail rates.
4. Sokoto – ₦1,100.00/litre
Sokoto maintained a high PMS price, unchanged month-on-month from May. From ₦723.33 in June 2024, prices surged by over 52% year-on-year. Analysts attribute this to its remote geography, higher cost of haulage, and limited competition among filling stations factors that make the North-West particularly vulnerable to retail price volatility.
5. Zamfara – ₦1,096.81/litre
Rounding out the top five, Zamfara recorded ₦1,096.81 in June. The state, once among those with the lowest fuel prices in 2021, has been among the worst hit by subsidy withdrawal since 2023. Residents and civil groups have repeatedly called for palliative measures as the cost of PMS continues to outpace earnings.
Sector Outlook
While the Dangote Refinery’s operations were expected to bring nationwide relief, regional bottlenecks ranging from poor road networks to racketeering continue to undermine equitable price transmission.
Experts say the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) must ramp up monitoring, enforce retail margins, and expand inland depots to ease regional price disparities.
Unless such interventions are deployed, petrol affordability in frontier states may worsen ahead of the January 2026 petrol surcharge implementation.