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 currency, however, recorded some gains against other currencies, as the pound dropped slightly to N2,075/£1 from N2,085/£1, while sellers quoted it at N2,100/£1 compared with N2,110/£1 a day earlier.

Against the euro, the naira inched up to N1,770/€1 from N1,775/€1. On the selling side, the euro eased to N1,790/€1 from N1,795/€1.

The trend was similar in the official window, where the currency closed at N1,536/$1, improving from Wednesday’s N1,537/$1. Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) showed the naira trading between N1,535.25 and N1,538 to the dollar during the session.

Market watchers say the stability reflects continued Central Bank interventions and improved dollar supply. While the gains are small, analysts note that they point to growing confidence in ongoing reforms.

The local currency also recovered slightly against other major currencies. Against the British pound, it strengthened to N2,075/£1 from N2,080/£1, while the sell price remained unchanged at N2,100/£1. 

Similarly, it appreciated against the euro, trading at N1,770/€1 from N1,775/€1, with the sell price easing to N1,790/€1 from N1,800/€1.

However, the naira weakened marginally at the official window, where it closed at N1,535/$1 compared to N1,534/$1 on Monday. Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) showed the currency fluctuated between N1,534/$1and N1,535.50/$1 during Tuesday’s session.

The naira’s mixed performance reveals ongoing supply and demand pressures in the forex market. Analysts note that consistent interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remain critical in stabilising the currency.

As the demand for foreign currencies mounted, the naira also declined against the euro, as the euro buy price rose to N1,775/€1, and sold for N1,800/€1 on the first day of the week.

However, the naira movement recorded a mixed performance, despite depreciating against other foreign currencies, the Nigerian currency strengthened against the British pound to N2,080/£1 from its prior rate of N2,090/£1 while it sold for N2,100/£1 from N2,110/£1.

In the official market, the naira’s performance was similarly to the black market as it opened the week lower at N1,534/$1, a mild depreciation from its last Friday close of N1,533/$1.

During the day’s trading session, the pair fluctuated between N1,532/$1 and N1,535/$1 on Monday.

The naira’s slow start to the week highlights ongoing pressure in the foreign exchange market. However, market participants continue to watch the naira while monitoring developments that could influence the currency’s performance.

This marks a stronger close compared to the week’s opening rate, with the currency gaining 0.32% from N1,545/$1 on Monday to N1,540/$1 on Friday.

Against the British pound, the naira rose slightly to N2,090/£1 from N2,095/£1, while the sell rate stood at N2,110/£1. It, however, weakened marginally against the euro, falling to N1,770/€1 from N1,775/€1, with the sell rate easing to N1,790/€1 from N1,800/€1.

In the official market, the naira mirrored this positive trend against the U.S. dollar, closing at N1,534/$1 on Friday. Throughout the week, the official rate remained relatively stable, fluctuating between N1,533/$1 and N1,536/$1.

Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) showed intraday movements on Friday ranging from N1,529.75/$1 to N1,535/$1.

The naira’s relative stability signals sustained market confidence. However, analysts note that maintaining this momentum will require consistent policy support and continued investor trust.