The average retail cost of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, rose month-on-month by 9.45 percent to N1,398.57 per litre in October 2025, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figure represents a sharp jump from the N1,277.81 recorded in September.
NBS data shows a contrasting year-on-year trend, with diesel prices falling by 2.96 percent from N1,441.28 per litre in October 2024. The movement reflects fluctuations in global crude markets, foreign-exchange instability, and persistent domestic supply constraints.
Enugu posted the highest average price nationwide at N1,468.29 per litre. Niger followed at N1,465.69, while Jigawa averaged N1,437.40. These states continue to record elevated levels due to longer supply lines and higher logistics burdens.
Katsina recorded the lowest price at N1,301.24 per litre, with Edo at N1,307.84 and Kebbi at N1,308.94. Improved local supply access and stronger retail competition helped keep prices below the national average.
Regional data shows the South East zone averaging N1,415.85 per litre, the highest of all six zones, while the South South zone recorded the lowest at N1,387.18. The disparities highlight uneven fuel-distribution structures and transportation cost differences across Nigeria.
A near-10 percent price surge in a single month increases production and logistics expenses for businesses that rely on diesel for transportation, manufacturing, and power generation. Higher haulage costs could push up food prices, raw-material transport charges, and consumer-goods distribution, intensifying inflationary pressures.
President Bola Tinubu approved a 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS) in October, although the federal government later suspended the policy. According to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), national diesel consumption averaged 17.13 million litres per day in October.
