Petrol Price Rises to ₦1,288/Litre in March, Reports NBS
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that the average retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) rose to ₦1,288.54 per litre in March 2026.
The figure represents a 22.55 per cent increase from ₦1,051.47 recorded in February 2026, and a 2.13 per cent rise compared to ₦1,261.65 in March 2025.
According to the report, Anambra State recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,441.22 per litre, followed by Sokoto State and Borno State.
In contrast, Lagos State, Ogun State and Kaduna State posted the lowest average prices.
Regionally, the North-East recorded the highest average petrol price, while the South-West had the lowest.
The NBS also reported increases in the price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), which rose to an average of ₦1,648.08 per litre in March 2026. This reflects a 16.05 per cent increase from February and a 3.05 per cent rise compared to March 2025.
Among states, Ebonyi State recorded the highest diesel price, followed by Akwa Ibom State and Osun State, while Kogi State, Katsina State and Enugu State had the lowest.
Zonal analysis showed the South-East recorded the highest diesel prices, while the North-Central had the lowest.
Cooking gas prices also increased during the period. The average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder rose to ₦7,655.73 in March, representing a 12.60 per cent monthly increase and a 4.55 per cent rise year-on-year.
Kaduna State recorded the highest price for 5kg gas refills, followed by Lagos State and Taraba State, while Bauchi State, Osun State and Ondo State recorded the lowest.
Similarly, the average price of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder increased to ₦19,652.83 in March, up 15.62 per cent from February and 6.48 per cent higher than the same period last year.
Nasarawa State recorded the highest price for 12.5kg refills, followed by Kaduna State and Akwa Ibom State, while Bauchi State, Osun State and Ondo State had the lowest prices.
The report highlights continued upward pressure on energy costs across Nigeria, with variations observed across states and regions.
