NNPCL raises petrol price to N1,270 per litre, Dangote adjusts to N1,200

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has raised its pump price of petrol to N1,270 per litre in Abuja and its environs. The increase, which took effect on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during the Eid-ul-Mawlid public holiday, came even as Dangote Refinery adjusted its own price to N1,200 per litre and global crude prices fell.

New pump prices in Abuja

A market survey carried out on the public holiday found NNPCL retail outlets now sell petrol at N1,270 per litre, up from N1,250, a N20 increase. The hike followed a similar move by MRS filling stations, which also raised prices by N20 to N1,230 per litre.

NNPCL's new rate is still higher than some competitors. 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 charge. On the other end, Empire and AA Rano stations are dispensing petrol at between N1,275 and N1,299 per litre, above NNPCL's rate.

Altogether, motorists in Abuja and its environs are now paying between N1,230 and N1,299 per litre, depending on where they fill up.

Dangote adjusts rates despite free delivery

The price hike comes 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.

Crude falls, but pump prices climb

The increases stand in contrast to global oil markets. 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. Financial analyst Osas Igho said 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 and businesses, the takeaway is simple: fuel is getting more expensive at both NNPC and independent stations, regardless of what is happening in the global oil market. This will likely add pressure to transport costs and consumer prices in the coming weeks.