Former Cross River State governor and [Peoples Redemption Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peoples_Redemption_Party) (PRP) presidential candidate **[Donald Duke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Duke)** told Channels Television that, should he win the 2027 election, he will bring the pump price of petrol down to roughly N300 per litre. He said the reduction will be achieved by pricing fuel for local consumption on the cost of producing it in Nigeria, instead of using international market rates.
**How does Duke propose to set the price?**
He criticised the existing subsidy system as a “scam” and argued that petroleum products should be sold at their production cost. Duke estimated the production cost of a barrel of crude, including processing and refining, at about US$45, with a base cost of roughly US$30 before those additions. By using this figure rather than the prevailing global price, he believes the retail price can be lowered dramatically.
**What volume of crude does he suggest for domestic use?**
Duke said the government should earmark around 600,000 barrels of crude oil each day for domestic consumption, adjusting the amount to match national demand. The remaining output, he explained, would be exported to earn foreign exchange.
**What is the current fuel price situation in Nigeria?**
Recent reports indicate that petrol is selling for about N1,400 per litre in Lagos and Abuja, and up to N1,500 in some northern markets. The rise follows higher global crude prices and has intensified public pressure on the government. Despite the commissioning of the [Dangote Petroleum Refinery](https://dangote.com/our-businesses/petroleum-refinery), which recently shifted its pricing to US dollars at $0.779 per litre, domestic fuel costs remain steep.
**What does the data say about consumption?**
According to the [Nigerian National Petroleum Refinery and Distribution Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)](https://www.nmdpra.gov.ng), average daily petrol consumption fell from 60.2 million litres in January 2026 to 47.4 million litres in June, reflecting the impact of higher pump prices on demand.
**How do other presidential hopefuls address fuel costs?**
- The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate **Adewole Adebayo** pledged to reduce petrol to N200 per litre within a year, proposing to revive existing refineries, encourage modular plants, and allocate crude for domestic refining.
- The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate **Seyi Makinde** rejected a return to the old subsidy regime but called for cheaper domestic crude for local refineries and greater transparency across the petroleum value chain.
- The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate **Atiku Abubakar** announced a reversal of his earlier stance, promising to restore the petrol subsidy, citing insufficient improvement in living standards after its removal.
Duke concluded that affordable fuel is essential for economic productivity, stating, “Fuel drives our economy. It should be available and affordable for every Nigerian.” He positioned his low‑price fuel scheme as part of a broader strategy to lower transportation costs, boost production, and enhance citizens’ participation in economic activities.