Key points
- The average retail price of kerosene declined slightly to N2,971.94 per litre in May 2026 from N2,976.94 recorded in April.
- Despite the monthly drop, kerosene prices rose by 36.62 per cent year-on-year compared to May 2025.
- Sokoto recorded the highest kerosene prices nationwide, while Bayelsa posted the lowest rates for both litre and gallon sales.
Main story
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a slight decline in the average retail price of household kerosene, with consumers paying N2,971.94 per litre in May 2026 compared to N2,976.94 recorded in April.
According to the Bureau’s latest Kerosene Price Watch released in Abuja on Wednesday, the May figure represents a marginal month-on-month decrease of 0.17 per cent.
However, despite the slight decline, kerosene prices remain significantly higher than levels recorded a year earlier. The NBS data showed that the average retail price per litre increased by 36.62 per cent from N2,175.29 recorded in May 2025.
State-by-state analysis revealed significant variations in pricing across the country.
Sokoto State recorded the highest average retail price per litre at N3,984.09, followed by Jigawa at N3,824.68 and Taraba at N3,595.64.
Conversely, Bayelsa State recorded the lowest average price at N2,018.79 per litre, while Kogi and Ekiti followed at N2,348.81 and N2,511.31 respectively.
Regional analysis showed that the North-West recorded the highest average retail price per litre at N3,343.12, followed by the North-East at N3,004.30.
The South-South zone recorded the lowest average retail price per litre at N2,777.76.
The NBS report also highlighted a more significant decline in the average retail price of kerosene sold per gallon.
Consumers paid an average of N11,949.39 per gallon in May 2026, representing a 10.80 per cent decrease from N13,396.23 recorded in April.
Despite the monthly reduction, the average price per gallon increased by 40.88 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N8,482.22 recorded in May 2025.
At the state level, Sokoto again emerged as the most expensive market, with an average retail price of N15,928.39 per gallon.
Kebbi followed at N15,855.73, while Niger State recorded N14,465.43.
Bayelsa recorded the lowest average price per gallon at N7,084.56, followed by Ekiti and Kwara at N9,300.92 and N9,419.85 respectively.
Across the geopolitical zones, the North-West recorded the highest average retail price per gallon at N13,444.05, while the North-East followed with N12,519.36.
The South-East recorded the lowest average retail price per gallon at N11,032.42.
The issues
Kerosene remains a major source of household energy for millions of Nigerians, particularly in low- and middle-income households that rely on it for cooking and lighting.
Although prices recorded a marginal decline in May, the sharp year-on-year increase highlights the continued pressure on household energy costs amid broader inflationary challenges and fluctuations in petroleum product prices.
Regional disparities in pricing also reflect differences in transportation costs, supply chains, product availability and distribution networks across the country.
What’s being said
According to the NBS:
- The average retail price of kerosene per litre declined slightly by 0.17 per cent in May.
- Year-on-year prices increased by 36.62 per cent.
- The average price per gallon fell by 10.80 per cent month-on-month.
- Consumers are still paying 40.88 per cent more per gallon than they did a year ago.
- Sokoto recorded the highest kerosene prices, while Bayelsa had the lowest.
The Bureau noted that regional and state-level price variations remain significant across Nigeria.
What’s next
Analysts will closely monitor fuel supply dynamics, exchange rate movements and broader inflation trends to determine whether the recent decline in kerosene prices can be sustained.
Households and businesses will also be watching for any policy measures aimed at improving energy affordability and stabilising petroleum product prices.
Future NBS reports will provide further insight into whether the downward trend continues in the coming months.
Bottom line
While kerosene prices eased slightly in May 2026, the cost of the household fuel remains substantially higher than a year ago, underscoring the persistent burden of energy expenses on Nigerian households. The latest NBS data also highlights significant regional disparities, with consumers in northern states paying considerably more than their counterparts in parts of the South.
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