NBS Releases Comprehensive Report on Petrol Prices Across Nigerian States
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has published its detailed price watch report for February 2026, revealing significant variations in petrol prices across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The comprehensive data, collected from over 10,000 respondents across all 774 local government areas, provides crucial insights into the nation's fuel market dynamics during this period.
National Average Shows Year-on-Year Decline Despite Monthly Increase
According to the NBS findings, the average retail price for Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) stood at N1,051.47 per litre in February 2026. This represents a substantial 15.60% decrease compared to the N1,245.80 recorded in February 2025, offering some relief to consumers amid economic challenges. However, on a month-on-month basis, the average price increased by 1.62% from N1,034.76 in January 2026, indicating ongoing price fluctuations in the market.
State-by-State Analysis Reveals Extreme Price Variations
The NBS report provides detailed state-level analysis that highlights dramatic differences in petrol prices across Nigeria. Yobe State emerged with the highest average retail price at N1,134.73 per litre, followed closely by Sokoto State at N1,116.81 and Akwa Ibom State at N1,109.44. These northeastern and southern states demonstrated significantly higher fuel costs compared to national averages.
Conversely, Lagos State recorded the lowest average retail price at N966.61 per litre, maintaining its position as one of Nigeria's most affordable fuel markets. Oyo State followed with N973.45, while Kaduna State rounded out the top three cheapest states at N1,000.07 per litre. These figures demonstrate how geographical location and market dynamics influence fuel accessibility and pricing across the country.
Complete Ranking of States by Petrol Prices
Top 10 States with Highest Petrol Prices (February 2026):
- Yobe: N1,134.73 per litre
- Sokoto: N1,116.81 per litre
- Akwa Ibom: N1,109.44 per litre
- Borno: N1,108.09 per litre
- Gombe: N1,106.04 per litre
- Adamawa: N1,096.63 per litre
- Ebonyi: N1,095.66 per litre
- Abia: N1,095.19 per litre
- Kano: N1,032.44 per litre
- Rivers: N1,030.74 per litre
Top 10 States with Lowest Petrol Prices (February 2026):
- Lagos: N966.61 per litre
- Oyo: N973.45 per litre
- Kaduna: N1,000.07 per litre
- Kogi: N1,002.00 per litre
- Bauchi: N1,005.45 per litre
- Enugu: N1,008.80 per litre
- Katsina: N1,009.56 per litre
- Ekiti: N1,015.71 per litre
- Imo: N1,016.59 per litre
- Delta: N1,023.81 per litre
Regional Analysis Shows Distinct Geographic Patterns
The NBS report also breaks down average petrol prices by geopolitical zones, revealing clear regional patterns in fuel costs. The North East zone recorded the highest average price at N1,084.41 per litre, reflecting the challenges of fuel distribution in this region. The South East followed with N1,058.75, while the South South registered N1,056.33.
The North West zone showed an average of N1,044.79, slightly higher than the North Central zone's N1,044.20. The South West emerged as the zone with the lowest average petrol price at N1,023.89 per litre, benefiting from better infrastructure and market competition in this economically vibrant region.
Context of Recent Market Adjustments
These NBS figures come against the backdrop of recent adjustments in Nigeria's fuel market. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had previously increased petrol prices across its retail outlets, raising pump prices in Lagos from N1,230 to N1,330 per litre and in Abuja from N1,260 to N1,361 per litre. Similar adjustments were observed in other regions, with Anambra recording N1,335 per litre and Borno at N1,330 per litre.
Industry analysts attribute these price movements to multiple factors including rising global crude oil costs, supply chain pressures, and ongoing market liberalization efforts. The NBS data provides crucial benchmarking for understanding how these broader market forces translate into actual consumer prices across different Nigerian states and regions.
The comprehensive nature of this report makes it an essential resource for policymakers, economists, and businesses seeking to understand Nigeria's complex fuel market dynamics. As the nation continues to navigate economic reforms and global energy market fluctuations, such detailed statistical analysis becomes increasingly valuable for informed decision-making and policy formulation.
