Nigerians will now have to pay more for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, as fuel prices skyrocketed across several filling stations in Abuja on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Checks revealed that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets, along with Empire, AA Rano, and Shema filling stations, adjusted their pump prices to between N905 and N945 per litre.

At Empire Filling Station in Gwarimpa, petrol sold for as high as N945 per litre, marking one of the steepest rates in the Federal Capital Territory. Other stations such as MRS, Emedeb, Raniol, and Eterna dispensed the product between N885 and N910 per litre.

Reacting to the development, the President and Spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi and Chinedu Ukadike, attributed the sudden increase to the recent strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Maigandi explained that the hike was a result of supply disruptions and panic buying caused by the strike.

“Our members are still selling between N885 and N895 per litre. The feud between Dangote and PENGASSAN might have led to this temporary increase due to artificial scarcity. The price will likely normalize in the coming days,” he assured.

Ukadike added that the PENGASSAN strike had created artificial scarcity in Lagos and Abuja, though the situation is expected to ease soon as supply stabilises.

The depot prices of petrol also saw a slight increase, with Dangote Refinery selling at N844 per litre, while Raniol and Aiteo sold at N845, and NIPCO at N850 per litre in Lagos State.

The latest developments come just days after Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN resolved their industrial dispute over the alleged mass sacking of workers. The strike, which lasted two days, was suspended following the intervention of the Federal Government.

Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) on Monday, Vice President Kashim Shettima criticised PENGASSAN’s actions, stating that “Nigeria is bigger than any union.”

However, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo swiftly responded, insisting that the country is equally “bigger than Dangote Refinery and the presidency.”

With Nigerians already battling rising living costs, the latest fuel hike has sparked renewed concerns over inflation and transportation expenses nationwide.