Petrol Landing Cost Hits ₦1,311 Per Litre as Lagos Depot Owners Withhold Sales

Petrol landing cost has climbed to ₦1,311 per litre, pushing depot owners at major Lagos loading hubs to stop selling as the cost of replacing stock rises. The standoff comes as international crude prices approach $105 per barrel, adding pressure to the cost of importing Premium Motor Spirit into Nigeria.

Several depot operators in Coconut, Satellite Town and Dockyard reportedly stopped selling petrol on Thursday, according to PetroleumPrice.ng. The stoppage has created uncertainty across the Lagos depot hubs, with suppliers watching landing costs and crude prices before resuming normal transactions.

Why depot owners are holding back

Depot owners are reluctant to release product at current prices when refilling their tanks could cost significantly more. For operators running on thin margins, selling today and buying replacement stock at a higher price would lock in losses.

Holding stock allows them to reassess selling prices in line with changing market conditions. Landing cost covers the expense of bringing imported petrol into Nigeria, including the product cost and associated importation charges. It is a key reference point in the downstream market because replacement costs shape what suppliers charge.

The reported withholding of sales does not mean petrol has run dry across Lagos. It reflects a commercial response to fast-changing cost expectations. The immediate question is whether depot owners can keep selling at existing prices without weakening their ability to restock.

Crude oil price pressure

Brent crude is moving towards $105 per barrel amid renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities and concerns over oil shipping and supply from the Middle East. Higher crude prices raise the cost of petroleum products imported into Nigeria, which feeds directly into the replacement cost downstream operators face.

Nigeria relies heavily on imported petroleum products, so sustained increases in international oil prices put pressure on the domestic fuel market. If crude stays elevated and landing costs keep rising, suppliers could push for higher selling prices when depot transactions resume.

Earlier, petrol prices rose across parts of Lagos, with the product selling for as much as N1,310 per litre at some independent filling stations, up from N1,290 on Friday. Several stations adjusted pump prices on Monday, September 7, 2026.

Analysts have also flagged the risk of further gains. Goldman Sachs warned oil could hit $120 as petrol prices rise to N1,310 in Nigeria.

What it means for motorists

The current situation does not confirm an immediate pump price increase. Retail prices will depend on landing costs, available supplies, supplier pricing decisions and developments in the international oil market.

Even so, the sales stoppage shows the strain on Lagos depot owners as they weigh existing inventory against the rising cost of replacement supplies. A sustained rise in landing costs could eventually reach motorists, though the timing and size of any adjustment remain unclear. For now, operators are reassessing their stocks and waiting for a clearer market benchmark before committing to further sales.