NBS Reveals Kerosene Price Trends for April 2026
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released its latest energy price watch report, showing that Nigerians paid an average of N2,976.94 per litre for Household Kerosene (NHK) in April 2026. This represents a sharp 22.49% increase compared to the N2,430.38 recorded in March 2026. On a year-on-year basis, the price surged by 34.12% from N2,219.69 in April 2025, underscoring persistent upward pressure on household energy costs across the country.
State-by-State Analysis of Kerosene Prices
According to the NBS data, Sokoto State recorded the highest average retail price per litre at N3,965.10, followed by Kebbi at N3,808.75 and Lagos at N3,790.90. Other states with high kerosene prices include Katsina (N3,743.09), Edo (N3,639.16), Bauchi (N3,609.23), Niger (N3,572.57), Jigawa (N3,482.24), Plateau (N3,425.20), and Taraba (N3,418.13).
On the lower end, Bayelsa recorded the cheapest average retail price at N1,815.40 per litre, making it the most affordable state for kerosene in April 2026. It was followed by Kogi at N1,982.02 and Yobe at N2,235.77. These three states offered significantly lower prices compared to the national average.
Zonal Price Variations
On a zonal basis, the North-West region recorded the highest average retail price per litre at N3,437.15, reflecting the concentration of high-cost states like Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina. The North-East followed with an average of N2,987.65, while the South-East posted the lowest average at N2,674.61, indicating regional disparities in kerosene pricing.
Kerosene Gallon Prices Also Rise
The NBS report also highlighted that the average retail price per gallon of Household Kerosene stood at N13,396.23 in April 2026, up 22.49% from N10,936.71 in March 2026 and 61.50% higher than N8,294.98 in April 2025. This shows that kerosene price increases have been more pronounced on a year-on-year basis for gallon purchases.
At the state level, Sokoto again topped the list with the highest average gallon price at N17,842.96, followed by Kebbi (N17,139.38) and Lagos (N17,059.05). Other states with high gallon prices include Katsina (N16,843.90), Edo (N16,376.22), Bauchi (N16,241.52), Niger (N16,076.55), Jigawa (N15,670.09), Plateau (N15,413.39), and Taraba (N15,381.59). Conversely, Bayelsa recorded the lowest gallon price at N8,169.28, followed by Kogi (N8,919.09) and Yobe (N10,060.99).
Zonally, the North-West recorded the highest average gallon price at N15,467.16, while the South-East recorded the lowest at N12,035.73, consistent with the per litre trends.
Context: Petrol Prices Also Surge
In a related development, the NBS earlier reported that the average retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) rose to N1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, a 23.69% increase from N1,239.33 in April 2025. Month-on-month, petrol prices jumped 18.97% from N1,288.54 in March 2026. These increases highlight the broader upward trend in energy costs affecting Nigerian households and businesses.
Expert Analysis
Dave Ibemere, Senior Business Editor at Legit.ng, noted that the sustained rise in kerosene and petrol prices reflects ongoing macroeconomic pressures, including exchange rate volatility and subsidy removal impacts. He emphasized that while some states like Bayelsa, Kogi, and Yobe have relatively lower prices, consumers in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos face significantly higher costs, exacerbating energy poverty in those regions.
