The NNPCL states that the increase in fuel price is a result of market realities.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., has attributed the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol to the market realities.
The company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Malam Mele Kyari, stated this in an interview with newsmen shortly after a private meeting with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, on Tuesday in Abuja.
”I don’t have the details this moment. You know we have the Marketing Wing of the company, they adjust prices depending on the market realities.
”And this is the meaning of making sure that the market regulate itself so that prices will go up and sometimes they will come down also and this is really what we are seeing in reality this is how the market works.