Many Nigerians are facing higher transport costs and rising business expenses after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised its gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to N995 per litre, triggering pump price increases across the country.
Checks across several states show petrol now selling between N1,000 and N1,190 per litre, depending on the location and filling station.
Although fuel remains available at most outlets, motorists, transport operators and small business owners say the latest increase is worsening the financial pressure on households already battling high living costs.
The price surge has been linked partly to growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The crisis has disrupted shipping activities around the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit route through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes.
Security concerns in the area have slowed tanker movements and pushed global oil prices upward, with Brent crude climbing above $90 per barrel.
The development has quickly affected fuel prices in several countries, including Nigeria.
In the Federal Capital Territory, a market survey showed that petrol is now sold between N1,052 and N1,105 per litre at many filling stations.
A commercial driver operating along the Federal Secretariat–Asokoro route in Abuja, Daniel Ishyaku, told the Punch he had increased his fare from N400 to N700 to cope with rising fuel costs.
“If I don’t increase the fare, I will run at a loss,” he said.
In Lagos, petrol prices climbed even higher in some areas, reaching up to N1,190 per litre. A dispatch rider, Augustine Akor, said the increase had forced him to raise delivery charges.
Similarly, a boutique owner, Chukwudi Anioke, said the higher cost of petrol could lead to price increases in his shop due to heavy reliance on generators.
In Kaduna and Taraba states, petrol prices ranged between N1,000 and N1,070 per litre, although residents reported that supply remained steady and queues were largely absent.
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