By Our Correspondent

National News – Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has said the indicative gantry price released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery for aviation turbine kerosene (ATK), also known as jet fuel, is expected to help stabilise Nigeria’s aviation fuel market and improve transparency in pricing on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

The regulator disclosed this through its Director of Public Affairs, George Ene-Ita, who spoke in Abuja while reacting to rising concerns over the high cost of aviation fuel.

According to him, the refinery’s daily publication of gantry prices will assist regulators in monitoring compliance and guide marketers in setting fair rates for airlines.

The development comes amid complaints from airline operators and passengers over escalating ticket costs linked to fuel prices.

The NMDPRA explained that although petroleum product pricing in Nigeria has been deregulated, it still provides benchmark ranges to guide fair market operations and prevent excessive pricing.

The indicative pricing framework for aviation fuel was derived from Platts average figures recorded between April 17 and 23, 2026, reflecting global crude oil movements.

It noted that in Lagos, jet fuel should trade between N1,760 and N1,988 per litre, while in Abuja the expected range is N1,809 to N2,037 per litre.

However, reports indicate that some oil marketers have continued selling to airlines at prices above N2,230 per litre, raising concerns across the aviation sector and increasing operational costs for airlines and passengers.

Ene-Ita emphasised that the Dangote Refinery’s move to publish daily gantry prices would support regulatory surveillance, ensure tacit compliance, and ease pressure on the industry.

He added that global geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing U.S.–Iran situation, have contributed to volatility in international fuel markets, impacting domestic pricing.

The regulator said it would continue to ensure Nigerians benefit from improved pricing transparency and stability in the aviation fuel supply chain through monitoring and enforcement.

Stakeholders in the aviation sector are expected to monitor the new pricing guidance closely as Nigeria seeks to balance deregulation with consumer protection and sustain airline operations amid fluctuating global oil prices.