Petrol Hits N1,520 as NLC Presses Government for Urgent Action
By Aboki Forex —
Petrol prices have climbed to as high as N1,520 per litre in several Nigerian states, pushing transport fares higher and forcing the Nigeria Labour Congress to demand urgent government measures. The NLC said on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, that petrol was selling for about N1,430 per litre in major cities.
In parts of Damaturu, prices ranged between N1,500 and N1,520 per litre. Kano, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba and Zamfara all recorded N1,500 per litre. The price surge follows Dangote Petroleum Refinery's decision to raise its gantry price to N1,350 per litre from N1,265, effective September 12.
Transport costs rise
The higher pump price has quickly fed into commuter expenses. In Kano, tricycle operators increased fares on short routes to N300 from N200. In Benue, a journey that used to cost N400 now costs N600.
Dangote refinery's N85 adjustment was the fourth increase since August 21. It brought the refinery's cumulative price rise to N185 per litre, or about 15.9%, over that period.
Marketers warn of N2,000
Chinedu Ukadike, publicity secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, warned that petrol prices could reach N2,000 per litre if crude oil costs continued to rise and the naira weakened further against the dollar. Ukadike said: "The first factor is the price of crude oil in the international market; the second is the dollar rate."
He called on the government to supply crude to domestic refineries under arrangements that offer more predictable feedstock costs. He suggested refineries should hold enough crude to cover 60 to 90 days of production needs. That, he argued, would reduce the immediate pressure that global oil price swings place on pump prices.
NLC demands and policy backdrop
The NLC echoed similar demands. It called for reasonable wage awards for workers, increased crude supplies to local refineries settled in naira, and greater national storage capacity for petroleum products. The union also said government intervention, including subsidies, should not be ruled out in an emergency.
Nigeria scrapped its petrol subsidy in May 2023, leaving pump prices more exposed to shifts in international crude costs, foreign exchange rates and logistics expenses. The government has since maintained that it has no plans to reimpose price controls, while pointing to expanded domestic refining capacity as a long-term solution.
Earlier reports showed petrol and diesel prices on Tuesday, September 15 were below current landing costs in several major markets, despite a surge in global crude oil prices. Brent crude was trading at $108.60 per barrel as of 7:50 a.m. West Africa Time, up 2.79%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 4.42% to $105.90 per barrel. The increase pushed Nigeria's estimated landing cost for Premium Motor Spirit to N1,420 per litre and Automotive Gas Oil to N1,894 per litre.
What it means for Nigerians
With pump prices at N1,500 in key northern states and N1,430 in major cities, transport and logistics costs will keep pressure on household budgets and business operating expenses. Any further rise in crude prices or weakness in the naira would likely worsen the pump price outlook.