Our error: Petrol not N1900; diesel is -Media hoise

According to a report by Vanguard on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Vanguard News has issued an apology after incorrectly identifying diesel as petrol in an earlier report about rising petroleum product prices in Nigeria.

In a corrigendum published on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the newspaper clarified that the ₦1,900 per litre price referenced in its earlier publication applied to Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, and not Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol.

The newspaper acknowledged the mistake and expressed regret over the confusion the report may have caused among readers.

“The N1,900 per litre price mentioned in our earlier report referred to diesel (AGO), not petrol (PMS), as erroneously stated.

“We regret the error and apologise for any confusion it may have caused,” Vanguard stated in its correction.

The clarification followed the publication of an earlier report titled “Petrol Hits N1,900/Litre as Depot Prices Surge Despite NNPC Cut”, which discussed increases in the prices of petroleum products across different parts of the country.

Although the report contained information about petrol depot prices reaching ₦1,900 per litre in Port Harcourt, the same price was also recorded for diesel at depots operated by Rain Oil and Matrix in Warri.

The correction is important because petrol and diesel serve different purposes and have distinct pricing patterns in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.

Petrol is widely used by motorists and commercial transport operators, while diesel is commonly used by trucks, generators, industrial equipment and businesses that depend on alternative electricity supplies.

An incorrect description of the product can therefore create confusion about the actual cost of fuel for households, transport operators and businesses.

The clarification comes amid continuing increases in petroleum product prices, driven partly by developments in the international oil market and rising crude oil costs.

In its original report, Vanguard stated that NIPCO and several other depots in Port Harcourt raised their petrol prices to ₦1,900 per litre. It also reported that diesel prices charged by Rain Oil and Matrix in Warri increased to the same level.

The report further indicated that petrol prices varied across locations, with some Lagos depots selling the product at lower rates.

At the retail level, the newspaper reported that NNPC filling stations in Lagos sold petrol for approximately ₦1,360 per litre, while MRS sold at ₦1,338 per litre. Independent marketers charged varying prices depending on their locations.

These figures illustrate the difference between depot prices, which apply to wholesale transactions, and pump prices paid by motorists at filling stations.

The correction also comes as Nigerians continue to grapple with high fuel prices and their impact on transportation, electricity generation and the cost of living.

On October 8, Reuters reported that the Federal Government was considering a proposal to cap petrol prices at approximately ₦1,350 per litre, with refiners and importers expected to absorb temporary increases and recover the costs when market conditions improve. The proposal was presented as a measure to reduce price volatility.

Meanwhile, NNPC Limited has introduced a ₦66-per-litre petrol discount at its filling stations, with the discount period extended to October 31, according to a Reuters report published on October 10.

Despite the intervention, fuel prices remain a major concern for households and businesses, particularly as changes in international crude oil prices continue to influence domestic petroleum costs.

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