Nigerians are grappling with renewed economic pressure after oil marketers raised the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, to as high as ₦1,330 per litre at some filling stations, intensifying the burden on commuters and transport operators already struggling with rising cost of living.
The ripple effects of regional conflicts and ongoing supply challenges continue to hit the global oil market, driving sharp fuel price hikes that are disrupting daily life and transportation across Abuja.
At major filling stations in the nation’s capital, commuters now report paying well above ₦1,000 per litre, with some stations selling PMS at ₦1,330.
Market surveys show that AA Rano sells PMS for ₦1,330, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) for ₦1,780, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for ₦1,150. NIPCO offers PMS at ₦1,285 and AGO at ₦1,690, while AP prices PMS at ₦1,300.
The latest increase marks a steep rise from the previous average of about ₦1,150 per litre, pushing transportation costs higher and further straining the finances of ordinary Nigerians already battling a rising cost of living.
The impact is visible across the streets of Abuja, where long queues of vehicles snake out of fuel stations. Public transport operators and motorists are struggling to cope, with bus and taxi fares rising and daily commutes becoming more expensive. Residents say securing fuel has become a daily challenge, adding pressure to households and small businesses.
Transport Fares Surge Across Abuja
Commercial transporters say the fuel price increase has forced them to raise fares in order to survive.
Speaking to Pinnacle Daily, a commercial driver, Victor Uja, said he purchased petrol for ₦1,300 per litre at an AP filling station around the Jabi axis of Abuja.
“This fuel is now about ₦1,300 per litre. Just yesterday it was around ₦1,295, but the price keeps increasing,” he said.
According to him, the development has forced drivers to adjust transport fares almost immediately.
“Normally we carry passengers from Masallashi/Jabi to Life Camp for ₦300, but now it is ₦400,” Uja explained.
He noted that even the new fare barely covers operating costs.
“Passengers complain every day, but we don’t have a choice. Everything depends on transport. Food, markets, church, work, everywhere you go you must pay transport,” he said.
Some Routes Record Triple Fare Increases
Another transporter, Godwin Jerry, said the situation has become even more severe on some routes, where fares have risen dramatically.
According to him, trips that previously cost ₦500 now cost up to ₦1,500 in some areas.
“The place where we managed to carry passengers for ₦500 has now turned to ₦1,500,” he said.
Jerry lamented that the rising fuel cost is affecting his ability to provide for his family.
“If I don’t come out to work, my family cannot eat. Even today my daughters were sent home from school because of additional school fees,” he said.
He added that many drivers are witnessing a drop in passenger traffic as commuters struggle to cope with higher fares.
“The road is dry because people cannot afford transport anymore,” he said.
Commuters Feel the Pressure
Commuters across the city say the sudden fare increase is placing additional pressure on already stretched household budgets.
A civil servant, Mercy Yusuf, said transport fare from Mpape to Banex rose from ₦500 to ₦700 within a day.
“Things are not easy like before. When you go to the market with plenty money, you still cannot buy much,” she said.
She urged the government to urgently intervene to ease the burden on citizens.
“The government should look into this because many people are finding it difficult to move around now,” she said.
Another commuter, Blessing Richard Bassey, said rising transportation costs are forcing workers to cut down on food expenses.
“If you have ₦5,000 to manage transport and food, now all the money goes into transport. Sometimes you go to work hungry and come back hungry,” she said.
According to her, many workers have started trekking long distances in order to reduce transport costs.
Global Oil Tensions Behind Price Surge
The spike in petrol prices in Nigeria is occurring against the backdrop of rising global oil prices triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil supply passes.
Iranian authorities have warned that oil exports to allies of the United States and Israel could be restricted as the conflict continues.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Ali Mohammad Naini, said the country may block oil shipments through the strategic corridor.
“The Iranian armed forces will not allow the export of a single litre of oil from the region to hostile sides and their partners until further notice,” he reportedly said.
The disruptions have pushed global oil prices above $100 per barrel, the highest levels since the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which triggered a major global energy shock.
Transport Costs Driving Inflation
Economists warn that rising petrol prices could trigger further inflation across Nigeria because transportation is a key component of the country’s supply chain.
Higher transport costs often translate into higher prices for food, goods and services.
For many Nigerians, however, the immediate concern is simply surviving daily expenses.
As one frustrated driver summed it up, “Transport is the root of everything. Once fuel increases, everything increases.”
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The sharp rise in global crude oil prices has begun to reflect in Nigeria’s domestic fuel market, with the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) warning that petrol prices could surge to as high as ₦2,000 per litre, while diesel may approach ₦3,000 per litre if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt oil supply.
The National President of PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, made the projection in a statement on Monday, noting that escalating geopolitical tensions involving Israel, the United States, and Iran are already pushing crude oil prices to alarming levels and threatening stability in international energy supply chains.
“PMS could rise close to N2,000 per litre while AGO may approach N3,000 per litre if the situation persists,” Gillis-Harry said. He explained that sustained drone and missile attacks in the region have heightened risks to critical oil infrastructure and shipping routes, creating uncertainty in global supply chains and pushing up crude oil prices.
Since the war began, energy infrastructure in the region has come under attack. At least one major refinery, the Shahr Rey Oil Refinery near Tehran has been struck, while several fuel depots and storage facilities supplying the Iranian capital have been destroyed or set ablaze, disrupting supply and heightening tensions in global oil markets.
As global tensions continue to rattle energy markets, the ripple effects are now being felt thousands of kilometres away in Nigeria. With petrol selling as high as ₦1,330 per litre at AA Rano, ₦1,300 at AP, and ₦1,285 at NIPCO, commuters and transport operators say the situation is becoming increasingly unbearable. For many Nigerians, the conflict between Iran and Israel may be far away, but its economic impact is already hitting close to home in transport fares, food prices, and the daily struggle to survive.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
