The average retail price of household kerosene surged across Nigeria in April 2026, with residents of Sokoto, Lagos, and Kebbi paying about N4,000 per litre, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

Kerosene, once Nigeria’s dominant cooking fuel before the widespread adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, has seen a steady decline in use over the years. While many households switched to gas cylinders around 2015, others were reluctant at the time as kerosene prices hovered between N50 and N100 per litre.

However, the removal of subsidy on kerosene in 2016, coupled with the naira devaluation under the current administration, triggered sustained price increases, making the product increasingly unaffordable for many households that once depended on it for cooking and lighting lanterns.

Today, many Nigerians say they now use cooking gas or charcoal, as kerosene has become one of the most expensive household fuels in the country.

The NBS, in Its “Household Kerosene Price Watch” for April 2026, stated that Sokoto recorded the highest average retail price at N3,965.10 per litre during the period under review.

Kebbi followed with N3,808.75 per litre, while Lagos residents paid N3,790.90. The report also showed Katsina at N3,743.09, Edo at N3,639.16, Niger at N3,572.57, Plateau at N3,425.20, and Zamfara at N3,386.09 per litre.

At the lower end, Bayelsa recorded the lowest average retail price at N1,815.40 per litre, followed by Kogi at N1,982.02 and Yobe at N2,235.77. Other relatively lower-priced states include Kano at N2,385.53 and Anambra at N2,398.53.

A regional breakdown showed that the North-West recorded the highest average prices nationwide, with Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina dominating the upper end of the pricing chart. The NBS data also revealed sharp month-on-month increases in several states between March and April 2026.

Kaduna recorded the highest increase at 35.16 per cent, followed by Bayelsa at 34.82 per cent, Katsina at 34.27 per cent, Imo at 34.11 per cent, and Akwa Ibom at 33.62 per cent. Plateau recorded a 30.80 per cent increase, while Kwara rose by 32.25 per cent.

However, Kogi recorded no change within the period, while Borno posted one of the lowest increases at 1.59 per cent.

On a year-on-year basis, the report showed even steeper increases in household kerosene prices. Bauchi recorded the highest annual increase at 108.53 per cent, indicating that the average retail price more than doubled compared to April 2025.

Lagos followed with an 84.49 per cent increase, while Nasarawa recorded 76.12 per cent, Katsina 71.17 per cent, and Plateau 65.97 per cent. Niger recorded a 44.99 per cent rise year-on-year, while Sokoto increased by 59.76 per cent.

Conversely, Yobe and Enugu recorded declines of -4.86 per cent and -1.80 per cent, respectively, making them the only states with year-on-year reductions. At the zonal level, the North-Central recorded an average retail price of N2,849.97 per litre in April 2026, representing a 19.87 per cent month-on-month increase and a 32.18 per cent year-on-year rise.

The South-West also recorded significant increases, largely driven by Lagos, while the South-South showed mixed trends despite being home to oil-producing states. The NBS further disclosed that the average gallon price of kerosene rose significantly nationwide.

In the North-Central, the average gallon price stood at N12,824.88 in April 2026, up from N10,698.89 in March. In Abuja, the average gallon price rose to N12,202.24, while Niger and Plateau recorded N16,076.55 and N15,413.39, respectively.

Sokoto residents paid an average of over N17,000 per gallon, among the highest nationwide. The rise in kerosene prices is expected to further worsen living conditions for low-income households, many of whom still rely on the product for cooking and lighting amid rising electricity tariffs and high cooking gas prices.

With cooking gas selling for about N2,000 per litre in some locations, many households may resort to firewood or charcoal as alternatives.

The development comes amid persistent inflationary pressures that continue to drive up the cost of essential commodities and household energy products across the country. (Nigerian Tribune)