The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority on Friday moved to calm rising concerns in the aviation sector, declaring that Nigeria currently has sufficient aviation fuel stock to last over two months.
The regulator also dismissed reports of an imminent price spike to N3,300 per litre, describing such claims as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, George Ene-Ita, obtained by Saturday PUNCH, the agency said available data indicated a combined national sufficiency of 74 days, comprising both inland and refinery stock.
“The NMDPRA wishes to assure the public that there is a robust supply of Aviation Fuel in the country with the inland stock sufficiency of 12 days, and the refinery stock sufficiency of 62 days, making a total of 74 days of national sufficiency,” the statement read.
The reassurance comes amid growing anxiety among airline operators and stakeholders over recent fluctuations in aviation fuel prices, which have historically driven high airfares and increased operational costs in Nigeria.
Clarifying the pricing structure, the authority noted that aviation fuel, also known as Jet A1, is fully deregulated, with prices determined by market forces rather than government control.
“It is imperative to note that, like other petroleum products, Aviation Fuel has been fully deregulated, and the price is driven by market dynamics,” the agency added.
The regulator disclosed that the current ex-gantry price at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery stands at N1,879 per litre, slightly below the international benchmark of N1,900 per litre in Lagos as of April 16, 2026.
According to the NMDPRA, a nationwide price survey conducted on April 17 showed that retail aviation fuel prices ranged between N1,960 and N2,800 per litre, depending on location and logistics.
It stressed that widely circulated reports suggesting a price of N3,300 per litre did not reflect current market realities.
“Therefore, the speculated N3,300 per litre price of Aviation Fuel being peddled in the media does not reflect current market reality,” the statement added.
The agency assured stakeholders that it would continue to monitor supply and pricing trends closely to prevent disruptions and curb exploitative practices in the market.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high within the aviation sector, as the Airline Operators of Nigeria had earlier warned of a possible shutdown of operations over rising fuel costs, describing the situation as “astronomical and artificial.”
The group cautioned that continued cost pressures could lead to job losses, financial strain on institutions, and reduced demand for air travel if airlines are forced to pass costs on to passengers.
However, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria has disputed claims of extreme pricing, attributing current cost pressures to global supply disruptions and logistics challenges, while urging airlines to explore alternative suppliers.
In response, the Federal Government, through Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, has appealed to domestic carriers to suspend plans to halt operations and reconsider fare increases.
Keyamo also disclosed that an emergency stakeholders’ meeting had been convened to address the situation and find a sustainable solution.
The latest intervention comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s aviation industry, as authorities seek to stabilise fuel supply, manage pricing concerns, and prevent disruptions to flight operations.
