NBS Report Shows Diesel Prices Decline 9.32% Year-on-Year in January 2026
The National Bureau of Statistics has released its latest price watch report for January 2026, revealing significant developments in Nigeria's energy market. According to the comprehensive data collected from over 10,000 respondents across all 774 local government areas in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) stood at N1,361.57 per litre during the reporting period.
This represents a substantial 9.32% decrease compared to the N1,501.58 recorded in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, the average retail price declined by 2.86% from N1,401.63 in December 2025, indicating a continuing downward trend in diesel costs across the nation.
State-by-State Analysis Reveals Significant Price Variations
The NBS report provides detailed breakdowns of diesel prices at both state and zonal levels, revealing substantial variations in energy costs across different regions of Nigeria. The data highlights how geographical location significantly impacts fuel pricing for consumers and businesses alike.
Top States with Highest Diesel Prices (January 2026):
- Lagos: N1,560.82 per litre
- Akwa Ibom: N1,558.52 per litre
- Borno: N1,480.00 per litre
- Sokoto: N1,470.46 per litre
- Oyo: N1,459.78 per litre
- Taraba: N1,453.50 per litre
- Plateau: N1,449.78 per litre
- Bauchi: N1,449.62 per litre
- Rivers: N1,439.61 per litre
- Osun: N1,427.59 per litre
Top States with Lowest Diesel Prices (January 2026):
- Kogi: N1,200.00 per litre
- Ogun: N1,230.52 per litre
- Zamfara: N1,242.82 per litre
- Anambra: N1,243.08 per litre
- Enugu: N1,251.69 per litre
- Kaduna: N1,266.67 per litre
- Niger: N1,276.00 per litre
- Abia: N1,282.50 per litre
- Kano: N1,281.92 per litre
- Bayelsa: N1,294.51 per litre
Zonal Analysis Shows North East with Highest Average Prices
The NBS report further breaks down diesel prices by geographical zones, providing valuable insights into regional energy cost patterns. The North East zone recorded the highest average retail price at N1,430.96 per litre, while the South East posted the lowest average price at N1,288.20 per litre.
Complete Zonal Average Diesel Prices:
- South East: N1,288.20 per litre
- North Central: N1,334.92 per litre
- North East: N1,430.96 per litre
- South South: N1,387.68 per litre
- South West: N1,395.43 per litre
- North West: N1,329.75 per litre
Broader Energy Context and Market Implications
The diesel price report comes amid broader developments in Nigeria's energy sector. Recent reports indicate that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has confirmed its capacity to meet Nigeria's fuel needs, highlighting a daily petrol supply capacity of 75 million litres, which exceeds the estimated national demand of 50 million litres.
Furthermore, the refinery stated it could produce 25 million litres of diesel daily, surpassing the estimated demand of 14 million litres, along with 20 million litres of aviation fuel, well above domestic consumption levels. According to industry analysts, this surplus production capacity is expected to contribute significantly to market stabilization, reduce dependence on fuel imports, and strengthen the country's downstream fuel supply chain over the coming months.
The NBS diesel price data provides crucial insights for businesses, transportation operators, and policymakers who rely on accurate energy cost information for planning and decision-making. The significant price variations between states highlight the complex factors influencing fuel distribution and pricing across Nigeria's diverse geographical landscape.
