State governments across Nigeria expended N45.04bn to run official motor vehicles, plants, and power generators in the first six months of 2026. This figure marks a 14.35 per cent rise compared to the N39.38bn used for the same purpose during the corresponding timeframe in 2025.
The data, derived from an analysis of second-quarter budget implementation documents by Punch, showed that 31 states saw their combined fuel bill climb by N5.65bn. On average, the states spent about N7.51bn each month, translating to roughly N248.82m daily between January and June.
The surge in spending occurred alongside rising crude oil prices, which crossed $100 per barrel following Middle East tensions and shipping bottlenecks along the Strait of Hormuz. In Nigeria, local fuel costs also jumped, with the International Monetary Fund noting that petrol and diesel rates grew by 22.5 per cent and 16 per cent respectively by March.
Out of the total sum, powering generators and plants took the lion's share of N28.52bn, up from N24.88bn in 2025. Vehicle fuel accounted for the remaining N16.52bn, compared to N14.50bn spent in the previous year. In total, generator fuel made up over 63 per cent of the entire fuel bill.
Lagos emerged as the highest spender after parting with N8.93bn, with N8.26bn of that amount going into plants and generators. Yobe came second with N3.42bn, allocating N3.39bn to generators. Nasarawa followed with N3.29bn, recording a sharp 62.59 per cent leap from its previous bill of N2.02bn.
Kano and Ekiti also registered substantial figures, spending N2.99bn and N2.81bn respectively, primarily on generator maintenance. Edo spent N2.74bn, though its bill was driven heavily by vehicle fuel at N2.36bn. Altogether, 13 states crossed the N1bn mark, while Kebbi and Oyo sat at the lowest end of the table, spending N3.06m and N11.54m respectively.
