By Peace Udugba
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from N1,250 to N1,270 per litre at its retail outlets in Abuja and neighbouring areas.
The latest adjustment represents a N20 per litre increase and comes despite Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s expanded free petrol delivery initiative to selected destinations across the country, including Abuja.
A market survey conducted on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, showed that motorists purchasing petrol at NNPCL stations in Abuja and surrounding areas are now paying N1,270 per litre.
The development has widened the price gap between NNPCL outlets and several other filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory.
Dangote Expands Free Petrol Delivery
The NNPCL price increase comes shortly after Dangote Refinery expanded its free petrol delivery programme to 10 destinations, adding Kano, Imo, Anambra and Nasarawa to the states previously covered by the initiative.
Under the programme, eligible marketers can obtain petrol at the refinery’s applicable price while benefiting from free delivery, a move designed to reduce distribution costs and potentially lower pump prices.
The initiative now covers Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna, Abuja, Delta, Kano, Imo, Anambra and Nasarawa.
Reports indicate that petrol supplied under the initiative is priced at about N1,185 per litre, making it significantly cheaper than the new NNPCL retail price in Abuja.
Petrol Prices Vary Across Abuja
Following the latest adjustments, motorists in Abuja and its environs are currently buying petrol at varying prices depending on the filling station.
MRS stations reportedly increased their pump price by N20 to N1,230 per litre, while some other marketers, including Geregu, Ranoil, Emedab and Mobil, were selling below the new NNPCL price.
However, some outlets, including Empire and AA Rano, were reportedly dispensing petrol at between N1,275 and N1,299 per litre.
The latest development follows a period of fluctuating petrol prices in the downstream market. Earlier in August, NNPCL had reduced the price at some Abuja outlets from N1,299 to N1,250 per litre after Dangote Refinery cut its petrol gantry price.
Dangote subsequently raised its petrol ex-gantry price by N20, from N1,165 to N1,185 per litre, effective August 21.
The latest NNPCL increase is therefore expected to intensify competition among fuel marketers as consumers continue to compare pump prices across filling stations.
The development also comes amid changing international crude oil prices, which remain a major factor influencing the cost of refined petroleum products and pricing decisions across the downstream sector.
