AsThe conflict in the Middle East continues, with the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) peaking at N1,413 per litre in Maiduguri, Borno State, in April 2026, as reported by the most recent information from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The NMDPRA Information Document regarding the Midstream and Downstream Industry Status for April 2026 indicated that the estimated pump rate in Maiduguri was N1,377.79 per liter, whereas the highest recorded actual pump price in the city for that month reached N1,413, marking the top pricing level among major cities observed.
In contrast, the highest actual fuel prices in different areas were Sokoto (N1,400), Kano (N1,390), Abuja (N1,385), Enugu (N1,390), Calabar (N1,333), and Lagos (N1,318). The average actual fuel prices varied between N1,271.50 in Lagos and N1,371.50 in Maiduguri.
The data, as per NMDPRA, is calculated using a typical Nigerian foreign exchange rate of N1,361.22 to the dollar and a previous Brent crude oil price of $120.55 per barrel during that time.
Sunday PUNCHreports that gasoline costs increased from N839 per liter in February following the US-Iran conflict, which caused the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a passage used for 20 percent of worldwide oil. The disruption caused oil prices to rise from under $70 per barrel to $107 as of Wednesday.
Although fuel prices remain high in certain regions, the report indicated that there has been ongoing progress in domestic refining production, especially from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The Dangote refinery maintained an average capacity utilization of 99.12 percent in April, with PMS output averaging 53.6 million liters per day. Out of this, 40.7 million liters per day were distributed to the local market, and 17.1 million liters were exported.
The facility also generated 23.6 million liters daily of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and 22.9 million liters per day of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (jet fuel).
The overall PMS daily supply increased to 44.4 million liters per day in April, compared to 40.1 million liters in March, with local sources providing 40.7 million liters, an increase from 34.2 million liters. Imports decreased to 3.7 million liters per day from 5.9 million liters.
The fact sheet noted that daily PMS usage, according to the amounts transported, rose to 51.1 million liters per day in April, up from 47.3 million liters in March, surpassing the 2026 daily target of 50 million liters.
The national fuel reserve levels averaged 18 days for PMS, 39 days for diesel, 70 days for ATK, and 13 days for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) throughout the month.
Although Dangote maintained control over local production, the three government-owned refineries — Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna — stayed closed during April.
It was discovered that three modular refineries — WalterSmith, Edo Refinery, and Aradel — functioned at different levels of operational efficiency, supplying an average of 560,000 liters of diesel daily to the local market.
Additionally, the average daily gas supply amounted to 5.142 billion standard cubic feet per day in April, an increase from 4.888 Bscf/d in March. This consisted of 3.129 Bscf/d provided to NLNG and 2.012 Bscf/d for the local market.
Key gas infrastructure showed different levels of usage, with Gbaran-Ubie operating at 107.64 per cent and NLNG Trains 1-6 at 89.20 per cent.
The LPG supply was 4,545 metric tons daily, while usage reached 4,818 metric tons per day. Retail prices varied from N1,100 to N1,450 per kilogram.
The supervisory body referred to the data as proof of Nigeria’s strategic shift in the energy field. “This confirmed data highlights Nigeria’s strategic evolution in the energy sector, focusing on lower imports, enhanced local production, employment growth, safety upgrades, and financial stability,” the information sheet noted.
The report is released as Nigerians still face elevated fuel expenses caused by the situation in the Middle East. Logistics issues, distribution profits, and foreign currency limitations keep affecting pricing at the pumps, particularly in remote regions such as Maiduguri.
The average PMS stock level was 17.7 days in April, a decrease from 21.2 days in March, whereas diesel availability reached 39 days.
The NMDPRA information sheet also highlighted advancements in significant gas pipeline initiatives, as multiple projects are nearing completion, potentially enhancing the domestic gas supply and its use across the power, commercial, and industrial sectors.
With the nation striving for energy independence, the efficiency of the Dangote refinery and the modular facilities brings some hope, although the restoration of state-owned refineries continues to be a key unresolved challenge.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
