Petrol price hits N1,456 in Yobe as fuel costs shape 2027 campaign
By Aboki Forex —
Petrol is selling for between N1,385 and N1,456 per litre at Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) outlets, with private stations charging more in several states, pushing fuel back to the centre of the country's political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest adjustments followed a N25 cut in Dangote Petroleum Refinery's ex-gantry price, which came down from N1,350 to N1,325 per litre. Even so, pump prices remain above pre-September levels.
What the pumps show
NNPC's current price list puts petrol at N1,385 per litre in Lagos, N1,430 in Abuja and N1,456 in Yobe. Borno is at N1,452, Adamawa N1,447, Taraba N1,445, Zamfara N1,439 and Sokoto N1,430.
Market checks showed NNPC outlets in Abuja selling at about N1,430 per litre, NIPCO stations at a similar level and Mobil at about N1,400. In Lagos, prices hovered around N1,400, varying by location and marketer.
The Nigeria Labour Congress said petrol was selling at about N1,430 per litre in major cities, with some locations charging as high as N1,500. Reuters reported prices of roughly N1,400 in Lagos and Abuja, rising above N1,500 in parts of northern Nigeria. In Mubi, Adamawa State, pumps were reported as high as N1,850 per litre during the most recent surge.
Transport, labour and the refinery
Tricycle operators in Abuja have already raised fares, with some commuters now paying N500 for trips that previously cost N400 or less.
The NLC has called for wage support and for crude oil to be sold to local refineries in naira to limit exposure to global oil price swings. Labour leaders asked the government to protect households from the impact of higher fuel costs.
Prices rose even with Dangote Refinery operating at full capacity, underlining Nigeria's exposure to international crude markets. Dangote Petroleum Refinery is selling PMS at N1,350 per litre at the gantry.
The 2027 timetable and the politics
President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy in 2023, ending government price controls and exposing domestic pump prices to international oil market movements. The government has defended the policy as necessary to eliminate the financial burden subsidies placed on public finances. Opposition politicians have criticised the removal and seized on the increases to challenge the APC's economic record.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, with governorship and State House of Assembly elections on February 6. Fuel prices are likely to remain part of the economic debate throughout the campaign period.
Crude prices and landing costs
In an earlier report, 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, a 2.79% rise, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 4.42% to $105.90 per barrel.
For households and businesses, the pump price is the cost that feeds straight into transport, food and logistics. With the campaign calendar now fixed, every further move at the filling station will be read as an economic scorecard.