The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has increased its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) pump price to N1,270 per litre in Abuja, a N20 rise from the previous N1,250, even as Dangote Refinery adjusted its own rate to N1,200 per litre. This development comes amid a global decline in crude oil prices, with Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) falling to $88.80 and $81.86 per barrel respectively.
Market Survey Reveals New Price Range
A market survey conducted on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during the Eid-ul-Mawlid public holiday, found that NNPCL retail outlets in Abuja and its environs now sell petrol at N1,270 per litre, up from N1,250, a N20 increase. The hike came shortly after MRS filling stations also raised their price by N20, to N1,230 per litre.
Despite the increase, NNPCL's petrol remains a mixed bag compared to rivals. Reports indicate the state-owned company's fuel is now between N15 and N40 more expensive per litre than what MRS, Geregu, Ranoil, Emadeb, Mobil and other outlets in the capital are charging. On the other end, stations like Empire and AA Rano are pricier still, dispensing petrol at between N1,275 and N1,299 per litre, above NNPCL's new rate.
Dangote Refinery Adjusts Pump Price
The price hike comes even as Dangote Refinery pushes ahead with its free petrol delivery initiative, now covering 10 destinations across Nigeria, including Abuja, where it sells at N1,185 per litre. However, fresh data from PetroleumPriceNG shows the refinery has also nudged its own pump price upward, from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre, a N15 increase. The adjustment has already rippled through the supply chain, with depot rates climbing to an average of N1,215 per litre as marketers adjust to the new benchmark.
Altogether, motorists in Abuja and its environs are now paying between N1,230 and N1,299 per litre, depending on where they fill up.
Crude Prices Keep Falling
The price increases stand in contrast to global oil markets, where both Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell sharply at the time of reporting, to $88.80 and $81.86 per barrel respectively. Analysts say the drop is tied to renewed optimism around a possible US-Iran peace deal, which pushed crude down by nearly 4%. Even so, that relief has yet to filter through to Nigerian pump prices, and may not for a while.
Experts Warn of Further Hikes
Financial analyst Osas Igho told Legit.ng that petrol prices are likely to climb further before they stabilise. "Expect petrol pump prices to reach between N1,270 and N1,300 per litre in the coming days as the new hike filters through the market," he said. Igho added that depot prices could eventually ease if crude oil's downward trend holds, but for now, marketers appear to be pricing in the latest increase from Dangote Refinery rather than the falling cost of crude.
For Nigerian motorists, the takeaway is simple: fuel is getting more expensive at both NNPC and independent stations, regardless of what's happening in the global oil market. The new rates are now in effect across Abuja, with depot prices also adjusted, and further changes are expected as the market continues to respond to the latest benchmarks from both NNPCL and Dangote Refinery.
