Nigeria's Fuel Spending Hits N11.85 Billion in 2026

From January to April 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria incurred N11.85 billion in fuel expenses for motor vehicles, representing a 113.4% increase from N5.55 billion during the same period in 2025. The data, sourced from the Open Treasury Portal, indicates that fuel costs for motor vehicles rose by 108.2%, from N3.17 billion in the first four months of 2025 to N6.60 billion in 2026.

Additionally, the government spent N2.94 billion on motor vehicle fuel in April 2026, compared to N1.73 billion in April 2025. The approved budget for motor vehicle fuel increased from N122.63 billion in 2025 to N207.37 billion in 2026.

The rise in fuel costs is linked to higher global oil prices and domestic petrol price deregulation, which has led to increased operational costs for government entities. Overall, the total budget for maintenance items in 2026 stood at N182.33 billion, with significant pressures on public finances due to rising energy prices.