Nigerians Face More Hardship as Kerosene Price Nears N4,000 Per Litre

• Household kerosene prices have continued to climb across Nigeria, with residents in some states now paying close to N4,000 per litre as rising energy costs place additional pressure on household budgets.

The cost of household kerosene has risen sharply across Nigeria, with residents of Sokoto, Lagos and Kebbi among those paying nearly N4,000 per litre, according to the latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The data, contained in the NBS Household Kerosene Price Watch for April 2026, highlights the growing cost burden facing households that still rely on kerosene for cooking and lighting.

Sokoto recorded the highest average retail price at N3,965.10 per litre, followed by Kebbi at N3,808.75 and Lagos at N3,790.90. Other states with high average prices included Katsina, Edo, Niger, Plateau and Zamfara.

At the opposite end of the scale, Bayelsa recorded the lowest average price at N1,815.40 per litre, while Kogi, Yobe, Kano and Anambra also posted relatively lower prices.

The report showed that the North-West region recorded some of the highest kerosene prices nationwide, with Sokoto, Kebbi and Katsina leading the chart.

Several states also witnessed sharp month-on-month increases between March and April 2026. Kaduna recorded the highest increase at 35.16 per cent, followed by Bayelsa, Katsina, Imo and Akwa Ibom.

On a year-on-year basis, the increases were even more significant. Bauchi recorded the highest annual rise at 108.53 per cent, while Lagos, Nasarawa, Katsina and Plateau also posted substantial increases compared to April 2025.

The report further revealed that the cost of a gallon of kerosene rose significantly across the country. In Sokoto, residents paid more than N17,000 per gallon on average, among the highest rates recorded nationwide.

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The continued rise in kerosene prices is expected to place additional strain on low-income households already grappling with inflation, rising electricity costs and higher cooking gas prices.

Once considered one of the most affordable cooking fuels in Nigeria, kerosene has become increasingly expensive over the years following subsidy removal and currency depreciation.

As costs continue to rise, many households are reportedly turning to alternative energy sources such as cooking gas, charcoal and firewood to manage daily expenses.

The latest figures come amid broader inflationary pressures affecting the prices of essential commodities and household energy products across the country.