The daily fuel consumption across Nigeria has taken a significant hit, with the country’s reliance on petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel dropping sharply during the month of July 2023. The decline paints a clear picture of how soaring energy prices are reshaping consumption patterns across the nation.

The Numbers Tell a Painful Story

Petrol — the country’s most widely used fuel — saw daily consumption fall by a quarter, dropping from 47.4 million litres in June to just 37.6 million litres. That’s a 25% plunge in a single month.

Diesel followed a similar downward path, with consumption falling 9% from 16 million litres to 14.7 million litres.

But the steepest decline came in aviation fuel (ATK), which crashed by a staggering 41% — plummeting from 2.9 million litres to just 1.7 million litres daily.

 The Decline?

The answer lies in the pocket. Fuel prices have climbed to painful heights, forcing consumers and businesses to cut back:

• Petrol now sells between N1,131 and N1,350 per litre
• Diesel ranges from N1,440 to N1,670 per litre
• Aviation fuel demands between N1,750 and N2,650 per litre

When the cost of staying mobile and keeping businesses running climbs this high, households tighten their belts, drivers reduce journeys, and airlines trim their operations — all reflected in the falling consumption figures.

LPG on the Rise

Interestingly, one segment bucked the trend. Consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) actually increased by 7%, rising from 3.8 kilotonnes to 4.1 kilotonnes. As traditional fuels become more expensive, more Nigerians appear to be turning to cooking gas as a more affordable alternative for household use.

This sharp drop in fuel consumption is more than a statistic—it’s a window into the economic strain everyday Nigerians are enduring. Every litre not consumed represents a journey forgone, a business decision reconsidered, or a household budget stretched to its limit.

While the shift toward LPG offers some relief, the broader decline signals tough times ahead as energy costs continue to squeeze consumers from all sides.