KEY POINTS

• Nigerians spent N1.3 trillion on petrol in June.

• Lagos, Ogun and Abuja led nationwide petrol consumption.

• Dangote refinery reduced pump prices but inflation remains high.

Nigerians poured a staggering N1.3 trillion into petrol purchases in June, according to fresh data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The country consumed 1.44 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit during the month, highlighting the nation’s deep reliance on petrol to fuel vehicles and self-power homes and businesses over unreliable electricity supply.

The removal of petrol subsidies two years ago has left consumers paying some of the highest prices in Nigeria’s history, with fuel now averaging about N900 per litre nationwide.

For many households and small businesses, petrol remains the unavoidable lifeline that keeps the economy running.

Petrol consumption highest in Lagos and Abuja

The NMDPRA data showed that Lagos topped the chart with 205.7 million litres consumed in June, worth an estimated N185.1 billion. Ogun followed with 88.7 million litres at N79.8 billion, while the Federal Capital Territory trailed closely with 77.5 million litres valued at N69.8 billion. Oyo also featured prominently, recording 72.8 million litres, amounting to N65.5 billion.

At the other end of the scale, Jigawa State received just 9.4 million litres, valued at N8.5 billion, the lowest nationwide. Other light consumers included Ebonyi, Yobe and Bayelsa, each receiving less than 12 million litres in the month.

Dangote refinery helps ease petrol prices

The South-West region was the country’s largest consumer overall, with 452.9 million litres valued at N407.7 billion, followed by the North-Central and North-West zones. Demand was driven by urban centres and industrial states, while rural and less populated areas recorded far smaller allocations.

According to Punch, Businessman Aliko Dangote noted in June that Nigerian motorists are paying significantly less than their regional peers, thanks to local refining at his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery.

The plant sells petrol between N815 and N820 per litre, well below the N1,600 per litre average in neighbouring West African nations. He stressed that Nigerians effectively pay only 55 percent of what others in the region spend on petrol.

Still, consumer pressure is mounting. Some Nigerians say pump prices remain unbearable, calling for a return to pre-subsidy levels of between N200 and N500 per litre as inflation continues to climb.