This was revealed in the new figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The increase adds more stress on households and businesses already enduring high transport, food and energy expenses across the country.

NBS said petrol prices increased by 18.97% compared to March 2026. Every year, prices rose by 23.69% from N1,239.33 recorded in April 2025.

In March, the national average stood at N1,288.54 per litre before moving higher in April.

The figures show the continuous impact of fuel deregulation, foreign exchange instability, high global crude prices and increasing distribution prices within Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.

Across the states, Yobe recorded the highest average petrol price at N1,599.05 per litre. Edo followed at N1,595.74, while Bauchi posted N1,589.07.

On the other hand, Niger recorded the lowest average retail price at N1,403.89 per litre. Sokoto sold at N1,404.16, while Katsina recorded N1,406.28.

The report also showed regional differences in fuel prices.

The South-South recorded the highest zonal average at N1,566.76 per litre. The North-West had the lowest average at N1,508.81.

Analysts link the high price gap between states to transport costs, supply challenges, infrastructure problems and varying access to fuel depots.

Northern states in particular still face higher delivery costs because many marketers transport products over long distances.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate climbed to 15.69% in April 2026, up from 15.38% in March. Food inflation reached 16.06% year-on-year, driven by rising prices of staple foods including yam, maize, millet and sorghum.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile agricultural produce and energy, also rose to 15.86%, showing that price pressure now cuts across several sectors of the economy.

At the state level, Sokoto recorded the highest inflation rate at 25.74%. Bauchi followed at 22.52%, while Zamfara posted 22.03%. Edo recorded the lowest inflation rate at 5.91%.

Global oil prices also contributed to the rise in local petrol prices.

Brent crude climbed to $120.4 per barrel in April 2026 from $103.7 in March following renewed tensions in the Middle East. At the same time, the naira averaged N1,361 against the dollar during the month despite market volatility.

The removal of petrol subsidies in 2025 also left local fuel prices fully exposed to market forces.

Meanwhile, a recent survey showed that both petrol and cooking gas prices were high between April and May 2026.

The survey, conducted on May 23, found that cooking gas prices in Lagos increased from around N1,300 to N1,400 per kilogram in April to between N1,350 and N1,500 in May.

Petrol prices during the same period ranged between N1,200 and N1,350 per litre.

In the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State, cooking gas prices rose to as high as N1,500 per kilogram, while petrol sold for between N1,350 and N1,444 per litre at major filling stations.

Kaduna and Rivers recorded some of the widest price differences for both petrol and cooking gas because of supply shortages and logistics costs.

In Kaduna, a 5kg cooking gas refill averaged N9,212 in April, while a 12.5kg refill cost around N23,030. Retail cooking gas prices in the state ranged between N1,300 and N1,500 per kilogram.

The post NBS: Petrol Price Hits N1,532 Per Litre After 19% Surge in April 2026 appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

But when she calls the amount, you freeze. You asked if the plate of rice had an added price, and she gave you that look, like you just landed from another planet and asked if you didn’t know that fuel prices have increased. 

And you stand there wondering how fuel prices from the fuel station managed to sneak into your plate of jollof rice.

Here, we break down how the increase in fuel price quietly sneaks into your plate of jollof rice and everyday necessities, and why a trip to your favourite spot leaves your stomach and your wallet feeling the heat.

• Transport Cost: 

Transportation is important to businesses, from moving the raw material from the market to the warehouse and the point of sale; transportation helps make all this possible.

Another announcement that the price of fuel per litre has gone up creates a ripple effect leading to a surge in the cost of transportation, increased expenses for shipping raw materials and finished goods, which comes back to affect the customers.

• Generator Dependency:

Most businesses rely on generators due to an inconsistent power supply. As the price of fuel rises, it also puts a burden on these businesses as they have to pay more to get fuel to power their businesses.

Therefore, as the price of fuel goes up, your favourite jollof rice spot, the store next door, also increases the price to meet its expenses. Especially for businesses that deal with perishable goods like frozen foods, every hour without a power supply is like money evaporating.

They have no choice but to purchase fuel even when the price increases, and the costs will be realized from the business, leading to increased prices of goods and products.

• Chain Reaction:

As the price of fuel increases and transport fares increase, this creates a chain reaction that affects everything else, from school fees to house rent, food, and so on.

Wholesalers pay extra to transport goods to warehouses, and delivery trucks pay more for fuel, then pass the cost forward.

Businesses adjust their prices upward because materials and logistics now cost more.

The chain keeps stretching as every sector relies on movement, and movement runs on fuel.

• Supply Chain Disruption:

Increases in fuel prices can disrupt the supply chain. Some goods and products require multiple stages of transportation before reaching the final consumer; even a slight increase in the cost of fuel can cause delay and affect the timely delivery of products, which can lead to scarcity, and in turn, businesses might need to hike their prices to be able to fund the transportation cost required.

• The Psychology of Price Hike:

The cruel reality is that after the prices of fuel drop, many item prices never go back down. Once Nigerians get used to paying a certain amount, businesses rarely adjust in reverse.

Over time, customers get used to the new price, and businesses see little reason to reverse the price. It becomes less about current costs and more about the accepted value.

As the price of fuel skyrockets, the impact is not only limited to the fuel station. It doesn’t just affect bus fare prices or drivers.

Every aspect of businesses can be impacted, which affects the prices of goods and services, affecting not just those in the logistics sector, because fuel usage cuts across the board.

People and businesses depend on fuel for their daily lives, from production to trade. It serves as the vital pillar of economies. It has a significant impact on both consumers and businesses in their daily lives and operations, from transportation to supply chain disruptions.

The post MONEY WEDNESDAY: How Fuel Price Hikes Creep into Your Plate of Jollof Rice appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.