Economy Watch

NBS says Petrol, Diesel Prices Rise by 32.51%, 64.58%

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest report has disclosed a sharp increase in the average retail price of petrol in Nigeria, with the cost of a litre rising from N626.70 in August 2023 to N830.46 in August 2024.

The significant surge represents a 32.51 per cent year-on-year increase, signaling growing fuel costs.

The report, released yesterday, further highlighted that the average retail price of petrol also experienced a 7.78 per cent jump from N770.54 in July 2024, reflecting the continued upward trend in the cost of the commodity.

Comparing the average price value with the previous month of July, the average retail price increased by 7.78 per cent from N770.54.

“Comparing the average price value with the previous month of July, the average retail price increased by 7.78 percent from N770.54,” the NBS noted.

The NBS analysis of petrol prices across various states showed significant differences.

The disparity in prices was also evident across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

“The North-East Zone recorded the highest average retail price in August 2024 at N908.21, while the South-West recorded the lowest price at N677.11 per litre,” the report added.

The Bureau, in its Diesel Price Watch for August 2024, also provided insight into the rising cost of diesel, indicating a year-on-year price increase of 64.58 per cent.

It noted that the average retail price of a litre of diesel jumped to N1,406.05, compared to N854.32 in August 2023.

“On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 1.93per cent from the N1,379.48 per litre recorded in July 2024,” the NBS stated, highlighting the persistent inflationary pressures on fuel products.

Kaduna State recorded the highest diesel price in August at N1,979.23 per litre, with Bauchi following at N1,927.34, and Taraba at N1,638.14.

Conversely, the lowest prices were recorded in Lagos at N1,237.14, Ogun at N1,255.00, and Osun at N1,268.18.

Analysis by zones mirrored the trend seen in petrol prices, with the North-East Zone reporting the highest diesel price at N1,621.23 per litre, while the South-West recorded the lowest at N1,283.47.

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