By Atoyebi Nike
Imo, Jigawa, and Sokoto states recorded the highest average retail prices for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, in April 2025, according to the latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The NBS, in its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch report released on Wednesday, revealed that residents of Jigawa paid an average of ₦1,588.50 per litre—the highest in the country—followed closely by Sokoto at ₦1,567.84 and Imo State at ₦1,550.00.
These figures mark a shift from March 2025, when Jigawa, Kaduna, and Cross River topped the price chart with average retail prices of ₦1,700.00, ₦1,650.00, and ₦1,563.86, respectively.
In contrast, Yobe, Kwara, and Osun states recorded the lowest average prices in April, with consumers in Yobe paying ₦970.00 per litre, Kwara ₦1,014.85, and Osun ₦1,042.49.
On a zonal basis, the South-East posted the highest average petrol price at ₦1,341.71, while the South-West recorded the lowest at ₦1,138.64.
Despite wide regional disparities, the national average retail price of petrol dipped slightly to ₦1,239.33 in April, representing a 0.52 percent decrease from ₦1,245.80 in March 2025.
However, on a year-on-year basis, prices surged significantly. “The average retail price paid by consumers for petrol in April 2025 was ₦1,239.33, indicating a 76.73 percent increase compared to ₦701.24 in April 2024,” the report stated.
The marginal month-on-month drop offers little relief to consumers, who continue to bear the brunt of high energy costs amidst broader economic pressures.
