Fresh economic pressure is suffocating millions of Nigerian households as the price of household kerosene has surged dangerously close to N4,000 per litre in several parts of the country.
Latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that Sokoto State recorded the highest average retail price of kerosene in April 2026 at a staggering N3,965.10 per litre.
Kebbi followed closely with N3,808.75, while Lagos residents paid an average of N3,790.90 per litre, further exposing the deepening energy crisis confronting ordinary Nigerians.
Other states battling soaring kerosene prices include Katsina, Edo, Niger, Plateau and Zamfara, indicating that the sharp increase is spreading rapidly across multiple regions.
In contrast, Bayelsa recorded the lowest average retail price at N1,815.40 per litre, with Kogi and Yobe also ranking among states with relatively lower costs. Despite this, the report noted significant month-on-month and year-on-year increases across many states nationwide.
The skyrocketing cost of kerosene is expected to worsen living conditions for low-income families who still rely heavily on the product for cooking and lighting, especially amid rising electricity tariffs and the high cost of cooking gas.
With household incomes under severe strain, many Nigerians are now turning to cheaper alternatives such as charcoal and firewood, sparking renewed concerns over health hazards, deforestation, and environmental degradation.
The latest surge adds to increasing public frustration over the rising cost of living, as Nigerians continue to grapple with inflation, transport fare hikes, and escalating food prices.
