Soaring Kerosene Prices Hit N4,000 Per Litre in Parts of Nigeria, Intensifying Cost-of-Living Crisis.

Household kerosene prices have skyrocketed across Nigeria in April 2026, with families in several states now paying nearly N4,000 per litre for the once-affordable cooking fuel. The sharp increase has further strained household budgets amid a broader cost-of-living crisis, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The NBS Household Kerosene Price Watch report reveals that Sokoto State recorded the highest average price in the country at N3,965.10 per litre. It is closely followed by Kebbi State at N3,808.75 and Lagos State at N3,790.90. Other states, including Katsina, Edo, Niger, Plateau, and Zamfara, have also witnessed steep prices exceeding N3,300 per litre.

On the lower end of the spectrum, Bayelsa State reported the cheapest average price at N1,815.40 per litre, while Kogi and Yobe States sold kerosene at N1,982.02 and N2,235.77 per litre, respectively.

For many Nigerians, the current prices mark a drastic departure from the past. Kerosene was once a dominant cooking fuel across the country, commonly selling between N50 and N100 per litre. However, the removal of subsidies in 2016, compounded by the sustained depreciation of the naira against major global currencies, has triggered repeated and sharp price hikes over the years.

As kerosene becomes increasingly unaffordable for low and middle income households, many families have been forced to adapt. The report highlights a major energy transition among consumers, with most households now switching to cooking gas (LPG) or returning to traditional biomass like charcoal and firewood to prepare daily meals.

The monthly price comparison also indicates significant inflationary pressure between March and April 2026. Kaduna State recorded the highest month on month price increase at 35.16 per cent. Other states with sharp rises include Bayelsa, Katsina, Imo, and Akwa Ibom, reflecting a troubling trend of escalating fuel costs spreading across all geopolitical zones.

Analysts warn that unless the government intervenes with targeted subsidies or stabilises the foreign exchange market, the cost of cooking fuels will continue to push millions of Nigerians further into energy poverty.