The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has recommended a new price range for aviation fuel, popularly known as Jet-A1, pegging it between ₦1,760 and ₦1,988 per litre nationwide.
The agency, however, noted that the product could cost slightly higher in major aviation hubs, with prices expected to range between ₦1,809 and ₦2,037 per litre in Lagos and Abuja.
The NMDPRA, in a statement made available to journalists on Monday (today), disclosed that the recommended pricing framework followed deliberations by a technical committee it convened on April 24, 2026, to address the persistent surge in aviation fuel costs.
The rising cost of Jet-A1 has remained a major concern for domestic airlines, many of which have warned that the trend threatens the sustainability of operations.
“Following the engagements and current market fundamentals, we believe the indicative end-user price should range between ₦1,760 and ₦1,988 per litre and ₦1,809 and ₦2,037 per litre in Lagos and Abuja respectively,”Vanguard quoted the statement.
The regulator attributed the pricing to international market benchmarks, specifically the Platts average prices recorded between April 17 and 23, 2026.
It warned that prices could fluctuate beyond the recommended band due to prevailing global uncertainties.
“The indicative prices are based on Platts average prices for the period 17th-23rd April 2026. Products purchased outside this window may be higher due to high volatility in current prices precipitated by the United States and Iran war and varying operational costs by operators,” the statement added.
Direct Supply To Airlines Proposed
As part of measures to ease the burden on operators, the NMDPRA recommended that energy marketers sell aviation fuel directly to airline operators.
It stated, “NMDPRA should direct marketers to sell directly to the airline operators within this period.”
The move is expected to cut out middlemen, reduce inefficiencies, and potentially lower the final cost of the product for airlines.
In a bid to further support struggling carriers, the authority proposed a flexible payment arrangement.
“Marketers should consider a 30-day credit window for airlines to pay up for supplies made,” it said.
Industry stakeholders have long advocated such arrangements, arguing that immediate payment requirements have worsened airlines’ cash flow challenges.
The regulator also urged increased coordination among key players in the aviation and petroleum sectors to stabilise prices.
It recommended that the Ministry of Aviation convene a consultative meeting between oil marketers and airline operators to resolve outstanding debts.
In addition, the authority said it would collaborate with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to streamline airside fuel distribution.
“NMDPRA to work with FAAN and NCAA to validate airside distributors with infrastructures to trim the number of airside operators based on agreed criteria,” it noted.
The NMDPRA further proposed the inclusion of Aviation Turbine Kerosene under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative.
The move, according to the authority, could help cushion the impact of foreign exchange volatility on fuel pricing and improve affordability for domestic carriers.
