The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that the average retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, rose to ₦1,596.25 per litre in May 2026, marking a sharp 55.31 per cent increase compared to ₦1,027.76 recorded in May 2025.
According to the latest Petrol Price Watch report released by the Bureau, the average price also increased by 4.13 per cent on a month-on-month basis from ₦1,532.93 per litre recorded in April 2026.
A state-by-state analysis showed that Edo State recorded the highest average petrol price in the country at ₦1,722.91 per litre. It was followed by Bauchi State at ₦1,715.47 and Benue State at ₦1,698.57 per litre.
On the other hand, Adamawa State recorded the lowest average retail price at ₦1,469.83 per litre, followed closely by Katsina State at ₦1,470.63 and Sokoto State at ₦1,489.33 per litre.
The NBS further disclosed that, on a zonal basis, the South-South region recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,623.84 per litre, while the North-West had the lowest average price at ₦1,564.11 per litre.
The Bureau explained that the figures were generated through a nationwide survey conducted across sample outlets in all 774 local government areas of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the NBS, data was collected from more than 10,000 respondents purchasing fuel at various outlets nationwide. The exercise involved over 700 field staff and was supervised by quality control officers to ensure accuracy and compliance with established monitoring standards.
The agency noted that the estimates were derived from household expenditure patterns on fuel and the actual prices paid by consumers across the country.
The latest figures underscore the continued rise in fuel costs across Nigeria, placing additional pressure on households and businesses already grappling with the effects of inflation and rising living expenses.
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