As Nigerians prepare for the Eid-ul-Mawlid public holiday on Friday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a reduction in petrol pump prices at some of its retail outlets.
The adjustment, which comes as welcome relief to millions of cash-strapped citizens, sees petrol selling for as low as ₦850 per litre at select stations in Lagos.
This move reflects a ₦15 drop from the prevailing price of ₦865 per litre, making NNPC stations the cheapest option in the state ahead of the holiday rush.
Observations around the Idimu–Ejigbo axis of Lagos confirmed that several NNPC stations had implemented the new price, while others still dispensed at the previous rate.
While Lagos residents benefit from the reduction, prices remain unchanged in Abuja and many other states.
According to recent data, petrol prices at NNPC retail stations currently stand at:
Abia: ₦945, Adamawa: ₦910, Akwa Ibom: ₦955
Anambra: ₦890, Bayelsa: ₦930, Benue: ₦950
Kano: ₦950, Sokoto: ₦955, Yobe: ₦965
Lagos: ₦865 (₦850 at select stations)
Ogun: ₦870, Oyo: ₦870, Osun: ₦875
In some states like Gombe and Yobe, motorists continue to pay as high as ₦965 per litre, highlighting the stark regional disparity in fuel pricing across the federation.
Other major marketers such as Ardova Plc and Mobil have also reduced their pump prices slightly, selling at ₦860 per litre in Lagos.
Analysts say the cuts could be a strategy to remain competitive against NNPC’s government-backed retail network.
The price slash comes just days before the federal government declared Friday, September 5, 2025, a public holiday in commemoration of Eid-ul-Mawlid, the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birth.
In a statement signed by Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, on behalf of Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the government congratulated Nigerian Muslims at home and abroad.
The statement urged citizens to embrace the Prophet’s values of peace, humility, tolerance, and compassion, especially in a period of economic difficulty.
Transporters and families making trips during the holiday are expected to benefit from the adjustment, though many Nigerians are calling for a nationwide harmonization of prices to ease travel costs across states.
The development comes amid delays in the much-anticipated rollout of petroleum products from the $20 billion Dangote Refinery.
The refinery, located in Lekki, Lagos, was initially expected to begin nationwide fuel distribution using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks on August 15, 2025.
Business mogul Aliko Dangote had projected that the scheme would reduce transportation costs and stabilize petrol prices, targeting major buyers such as manufacturers, aviation companies, and independent marketers.
However, logistical setbacks have slowed implementation, keeping the market heavily reliant on NNPC.
Fuel prices remain a politically sensitive issue in Nigeria, where subsidy removal in mid-2023 triggered sharp hikes in petrol costs, with pump prices jumping from ₦185 per litre to over ₦600 in less than six months.
Although the government argued that subsidy removal would free up funds for infrastructure and social spending, the policy deepened inflationary pressures, leaving households struggling with higher transport and food costs.
The latest NNPC price adjustment, while modest, signals an attempt to provide relief, especially as Nigerians prepare for holiday travel.
Market watchers, however, caution that without stable supply from local refineries such as Dangote’s and improved distribution efficiency, price volatility will persist.
For many motorists in Lagos, the ₦15 reduction per litre could translate into significant savings over the holiday weekend.
A commercial bus operator who purchased 100 litres at ₦850 saved ₦1,500 compared to the previous price.
However, consumers in states where prices remain high say they are yet to feel the relief.
Economic experts emphasize that consistent pricing reforms, investment in local refining, and improved logistics remain key to achieving sustainable affordability in the fuel market.