The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has reassured stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry that the country currently has sufficient aviation fuel supply to last more than two months.
The regulator also dismissed reports suggesting that the price of aviation fuel could rise to ₦3,300 per litre, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Director of Public Affairs, George Ene-Ita, the authority said available data showed a combined national stock sufficiency of 74 days, including both inland and refinery supplies.
“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 said.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns among airline operators over fluctuations in aviation fuel prices, which have historically contributed to higher airfares and rising operational costs in Nigeria.
The regulator explained that aviation fuel, commonly known as Jet A1, operates under a fully deregulated pricing system.
“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 said.
According to the authority, the current ex-gantry price at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery stands at ₦1,879 per litre, slightly lower than the international benchmark of about ₦1,900 per litre recorded in Lagos as of April 16, 2026.
The NMDPRA further disclosed that a nationwide price survey conducted on April 17 showed retail aviation fuel prices ranging between ₦1,960 and ₦2,800 per litre, depending on location and logistics costs.
It stressed that the widely circulated ₦3,300 per litre price being reported in some quarters does not reflect the current market situation.
“Therefore, the speculated ₦3,300 per litre price of Aviation Fuel being peddled in the media does not reflect current market reality,” the statement added.
Despite the reassurance, tensions remain within the aviation industry. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had earlier warned of a possible shutdown of operations over what it described as “astronomical and artificial” fuel costs.
The group cautioned that continued cost pressures could result in job losses, financial strain on airlines, and reduced passenger demand if carriers are forced to transfer the rising costs to travelers.
However, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) disputed claims of extreme pricing, attributing current cost pressures to global supply disruptions and logistics challenges. The association also urged airlines to explore alternative suppliers.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to domestic carriers to suspend plans to halt operations and reconsider fare increases.
Keyamo revealed that an emergency stakeholders’ meeting had been convened to address the situation and develop sustainable solutions.
The intervention comes at a critical moment for Nigeria’s aviation sector as authorities seek to stabilise fuel supply, manage pricing concerns, and prevent disruptions to flight operations across the country.
