Petrol Jumps to ₦937 in Lagos, ₦975 in Abuja Amid Middle East Oil Crisis

Nigeria’s fuel market is under renewed strain as escalating tensions in the Middle East push global crude oil prices above $80 per barrel, driving domestic petrol prices toward the ₦1,000 per litre mark. Motorists across the country, from Lagos to Abuja, have woken to sharp increases at filling stations, with pump prices rising almost overnight.

In Lagos, several outlets raised the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from ₦830–₦835 per litre to ₦937, while in the Federal Capital Territory, major retailers including NNPC Limited and MRS Oil Nigeria Plc increased prices from ₦875 to ₦975 per litre. Independent marketers were dispensing fuel at about ₦960 per litre, reflecting the immediate effects of rising international oil prices.

The surge followed a fresh upward review in the ex-depot price by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, which moved its gantry price from ₦774 to approximately ₦874–₦875 per litre. Industry insiders linked the hike to rising replacement costs and the ongoing surge in crude prices. A senior refinery official confirmed that petrol loading operations were temporarily suspended earlier in the week, further tightening supply expectations and accelerating retail price adjustments.

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The Middle East conflict, particularly involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, has heightened fears of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime route responsible for nearly one-fifth of global crude supply. Analysts warn that prolonged instability in the corridor could push global oil prices to $100 per barrel or higher, with direct consequences for Nigeria’s cost-reflective petrol pricing system.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) described the situation as worrisome, noting that rising crude prices inevitably feed into domestic pump prices, given the current deregulated pricing regime. PETROAN’s National President, Mr Billy Gillis-Harry, emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity as a protective buffer. The association also called for consistent crude supply to local refineries and accelerated rehabilitation of the country’s four state-owned refineries to cushion the economy against external shocks.

For Nigerians, the impact has been immediate. Commercial drivers and commuters report that rising fuel costs are forcing them to adjust transport fares, adding pressure to household budgets. “I bought fuel yesterday at ₦875, and this morning it is ₦975. Every increase affects us directly. If we don’t raise fares, we run at a loss,” said Mr. Chinedu Okeke, a driver in Abuja.

Commuters fear the ripple effect of higher petrol costs on everyday goods. “If fuel is almost ₦1,000 per litre, it means fares and prices of essentials will rise. Things are becoming unbearable,” said Mrs. Aisha Ladan, a civil servant in the capital city. Analysts warn that increased transport costs could widen inflationary pressures, as businesses pass on higher operational expenses to consumers.

The psychological impact of petrol nearing the four-digit mark is also significant. For many Nigerians, it represents another milestone in a period already marked by subsidy removal, currency volatility, and persistent price adjustments. Unless global energy markets stabilize or domestic refining capacity is expanded, petrol prices in Nigeria may soon cross ₦1,000 per litre, with broad implications for the economy.

Petrol Jumps to ₦937 in Lagos, ₦975 in Abuja Amid Middle East Oil Crisis

NRC Expands Abuja–Kaduna Train Service with Additional Trips 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced an expansion of services on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS), adding extra daily trips to meet the rising demand of commuters along one of Nigeria’s busiest rail corridors. The revised schedule takes effect Friday, March 6, 2026.

According to NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the expansion is intended to provide more travel options, enhance operational flexibility, and improve service delivery for passengers on the route. He urged commuters to review the updated timetable and plan their journeys accordingly.

The Abuja–Kaduna corridor had previously experienced operational disruptions due to a bomb blast on March 28, 2022, and a derailment on August 26, 2025, which reduced the number of trains in service from three to one. Temporary Speed Restrictions (TSRs) were introduced for safety, and daily trips were adjusted to match the limited rolling stock. With stability now restored, NRC has reinstated and expanded services in response to sustained passenger demand.

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Under the new schedule, passengers travelling between Idu and Rigasa stations will have three trips on Fridays, Sundays, Saturdays, and Mondays, and two trips on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, trains depart Idu at 8:45 a.m. and return from Rigasa at 2:30 p.m. On Fridays and Sundays, departures from Idu are at 7:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., with return trips from Rigasa at 11:30 a.m. On Saturdays and Mondays, services leave Rigasa at 7:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and depart Idu at 11:00 a.m., with all trains making scheduled stops at Kubwa.

NRC said the expanded trips are part of its ongoing commitment to improving rail capacity, reliability, safety, and overall passenger experience across the network. The corporation noted that the adjustments will ensure smoother travel, reduce overcrowding, and strengthen connectivity between Abuja and Kaduna for both commuters and business travellers.

With the additional services, NRC aims to restore confidence in rail travel and position the Abuja–Kaduna corridor as a reliable and safe alternative to road transport, particularly for daily commuters and long-distance travellers.

NRC Expands Abuja–Kaduna Train Service with Additional Trips

Dangote Expands into Steel, Power, Ports to Drive Africa’s Industrial Growth

Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, has unveiled an ambitious expansion plan to grow the Dangote Group into steel production, electricity generation and port development, marking a decisive new phase in his long-term strategy to deepen Africa’s industrialisation and reduce dependence on imports.

Dangote said the move is aimed at building a stronger manufacturing base in Africa, shifting the continent away from commodity exports toward value-added production. He described steel, power and ports as the next pillars of growth after the success of his refinery project. At the centre of his industrial transformation agenda is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is currently producing about 650,000 barrels of refined products per day. According to Dangote, output is projected to double within three years as expansion plans advance, strengthening Nigeria’s energy security and reducing fuel imports. However, he stressed that refining is only one component of a broader vision to industrialise Africa at scale.

Dangote emphasised that steel manufacturing in Africa is critical to infrastructure, housing, automotive production, rail networks and heavy industry. By investing in domestic steel capacity, the continent can significantly cut import bills, conserve foreign exchange and stimulate downstream industries. Industry analysts say entry into steel would place the Dangote Group at the heart of major infrastructure development across West and Central Africa, positioning it as a key supplier for large-scale public and private sector projects.

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Reliable electricity remains one of the biggest constraints to industrial growth in Nigeria and across Africa. Dangote’s plan to expand into power generation aims to address chronic electricity shortages that force manufacturers to rely on costly alternatives. He also identified port infrastructure development as essential to reducing logistics bottlenecks and improving trade competitiveness. Efficient ports would lower shipping costs, improve export turnaround times and strengthen regional trade under continental agreements. Together, investments in steel, electricity and ports are designed to create a vertically integrated industrial ecosystem capable of supporting mass production and global exports.

Job creation is central to Dangote’s expansion blueprint. With Nigeria projected to require between 40 million and 50 million new jobs by 2030, he said large-scale industrial projects are vital to absorbing the country’s fast-growing youth population. The Dangote refinery currently employs around 30,000 workers, about 80 percent of them Nigerians. Expansion into steel, power and ports is expected to increase total group employment to roughly 65,000 jobs, providing a significant boost to local skills development. Dangote also disclosed plans to list the refinery on the Nigerian stock market, opening the door for broader local participation in one of Africa’s largest industrial assets.

Despite the bold expansion plans, Dangote acknowledged ongoing challenges, including crude supply constraints, infrastructure gaps and logistics inefficiencies affecting feedstock delivery to the refinery. Nevertheless, he insisted that bold private investment is essential to reshaping Nigeria’s industrial landscape. “Nobody dared to do it, so we did it,” he said, reinforcing his belief that large-scale manufacturing is the key to sustainable economic transformation.

With cement plants operating across several African countries and a refinery already reshaping Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, Dangote’s expansion into steel production, electricity generation and port development signals a major step toward continent-wide industrial transformation.

Dangote Expands into Steel, Power, Ports to Drive Africa’s Industrial Growth