Fuel pump prices have risen to as high as N1,060 per litre in parts of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as several filling stations across the city remained shut while the few dispensing outlets sold the product at significantly higher rates.
Checks by Sunday Independent on Saturday revealed that many filling stations were not selling petrol, forcing motorists to move around the city in search of outlets with available supply.
At the few stations dispensing fuel, petrol sold for between N1,000 and N1,060 per litre, raising concerns among residents and transport operators about a possible further increase in the coming days, with some already speculating that prices could climb to N1,500 per litre if supply challenges persist.
Along the AYA–Nyanya Expressway, motorists were seen scrambling for products at Shema Filling Station, one of the few outlets selling fuel at the time of the visit.
The station, which usually experiences minimal congestion due to its numerous pumps, was crowded with vehicles waiting to purchase petrol.
Across several locations in the city centre and satellite towns, both major and independent filling stations either remained closed or displayed notices indicating that they were out of stock, leaving motorists to rely on the limited stations still dispensing the product.
Some independent marketers were also reported to have adjusted their pump prices above the N1,000 per litre threshold amid uncertainty surrounding supply.
A commercial driver in the city centre said the situation had already begun to affect transport operations, noting that operators might be compelled to increase transport fares if the trend continues.
“The stations that are open are selling above N1,000 per litre, while many others are closed. Drivers have no option but to buy at whatever price is available,” he said.
Another motorist, Ikechukwu Emejulu, who spoke with the newspaper, said he bought petrol for N1,060 per litre in order to attend his daughter’s inter-house sports event.
He described the sudden increase as excessive, warning that it could trigger a rise in the cost of goods and services if not addressed.
The development comes amid growing concerns over fuel supply disruptions in parts of the country, with marketers citing supply constraints and rising operational costs in the downstream petroleum sector.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail stations have also adjusted their petrol pump price upward for the second time in four days.
The state-owned oil firm increased its price to N967 per litre from N960, representing a N7 increase, with the new price already implemented at its retail outlets in Abuja and surrounding areas as of Saturday.
The latest adjustment follows an earlier hike to N960 per litre from N875, while several other filling stations in the nation’s capital have also raised their prices to between N967 and N1,000 per litre.
Industry analysts attribute the rising pump prices to developments in the international oil market.
On Saturday, Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude prices climbed by about 9 per cent, crossing the $90 per barrel mark.
The upward pressure on prices has also been linked to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, which has affected global oil supply chains.
Earlier in the week, Dangote Refinery raised its gantry price for petrol, citing the surge in global crude prices triggered by the geopolitical tensions.
Industry observers warn that if the current trend persists, the combination of supply constraints and rising global oil prices could further increase transportation costs and deepen economic pressure on households in the Federal Capital Territory.
Efforts to obtain official comments from relevant authorities on the situation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.