Nigerians spent an estimated N1.58tn on petrol in December 2025, based on official fuel consumption data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
According to the NMDPRA December fact sheet, average daily petrol consumption stood at 63.7 million litres per day throughout the month. With 31 days in December, nationwide petrol use totalled 1.97 billion litres.
Petrol consumption in the month remained consistently high, perhaps driven largely by increased travel, festive movements and higher commercial activities associated with the Yuletide.
Using the total volume of petrol consumed in the month and applying the average pump price of about N800 per litre that prevailed across major cities, total consumer spending on petrol for December is estimated at about N1.58tn, which is 1.97 billion multiplied by N800.
It could be recalled that the Dangote refinery enforced a price reduction in December, crashing petrol prices from around N900 to N739 per litre. However, it was observed that, unlike MRS in Lagos and some parts of Ogun, many filling stations sold petrol above N800 during the Yuletide, especially in the north.
Our correspondent reports that the calculation relies on two official and market-based indicators: the daily consumption figure provided by the regulator and the average retail price motorists paid at filling stations following the deregulation of the petrol market. While pump prices varied slightly by location, N800 per litre broadly reflects the national average during the period.
December typically records higher fuel usage compared to other months due to holiday travel, end-of-year logistics, and increased need for electricity by businesses relying on petrol-powered generators. These seasonal factors explain the elevated spending level recorded during the month.
