The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, to ₦992 per litre from ₦865, marking another upward adjustment in fuel costs for Nigerians.
As of Monday, no official explanation had been provided for the sudden price increment.
At several NNPC retail outlets visited by The Nation, attendants were observed adjusting their pumps to reflect the new rate.
At the NNPC station on Ogunusi Road, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, petrol attendants confirmed they had received instructions to change the price to ₦992 per litre.
However, checks at Ibafo along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway revealed that NNPC outlets in the area still displayed the previous price of ₦875 per litre but were not dispensing fuel to customers.
Many other NNPC stations were also not selling petrol at the time of filing this report, intensifying concerns about fuel availability across the country.
**Dangote Refinery Refutes ‘Dirty Fuel’ Claims**
The price increase comes just days after Dangote Refinery denied allegations that it imported high-sulphur petrol into Nigeria.
In a statement released on Friday, the refinery management dismissed the claims as “false, malicious and misleading.”
The clarification followed media reports alleging that Dangote Refinery had imported High-Sulphur Catalytic Gasoline from the United Kingdom, with sulphur content reportedly as high as 690 parts per million, significantly exceeding Nigeria’s legal limit of 50 ppm under the Clean Fuels policy.
The refinery insisted it was not responsible for any importation of substandard fuel, reaffirming its commitment to environmental safety and quality standards.
The latest price hike is expected to impact transportation costs and living expenses for millions of Nigerians, many of whom are already grappling with economic challenges. The lack of official communication from NNPCL regarding the reasons for the increase has fueled speculation and public frustration.
Industry analysts have expressed concern about the timing of the price adjustment, particularly as the country seeks to stabilize its fuel supply chain with increased domestic refining capacity from facilities like the Dangote Refinery.
Nigerians await further clarification from NNPCL and relevant government agencies on the factors driving the continued volatility in petrol prices.
