A new survey by SBM Intelligence has revealed that 67.4 per cent of Nigerians surveyed want the Federal Government to restore the petrol subsidy, highlighting growing public concern over fuel prices and their impact on household finances. The finding was contained in the second wave of SBM Intelligence’s Nigeria 2027 Voter Sentiment Tracker, titled “A Narrower Race,” released on September 21, 2026.

The survey, which covered 1,103 eligible voters across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, found that petrol has become one of the country’s major concerns. Respondents were interviewed face-to-face across all six geopolitical zones, covering both urban and rural communities. Petrol ranked as the second-most cited national problem, with 18.2 per cent identifying it as a major concern, while the government’s performance on the issue received a rating of 1.69 out of four.

On petrol-pricing policy, 67.4 per cent of respondents rejected the current direction, compared with 19.2 per cent who supported it. The figures point to continued dissatisfaction with the removal of the petrol subsidy, which has contributed to higher fuel prices and increased transportation and living costs. The Federal Government, however, has maintained that ending the subsidy reduced pressure on public finances and created room for spending on other priorities.

The survey also revealed notable regional and location-based differences. Petrol was the leading concern in the South-West, at 30.5 per cent, and the South-South, at 29.1 per cent. Rural respondents were also significantly more likely to identify petrol as a major concern, at 32.4 per cent, compared with 11.7 per cent among urban respondents. Meanwhile, insecurity remained the dominant concern in the South-East and North-Central, while debt topped the list in the North-East.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the findings place petrol pricing firmly within Nigeria’s wider political and economic conversation. However, SBM Intelligence cautioned that the survey represents the stated views of the respondents at the time of the research and is not a projection of the 2027 election outcome. As households and businesses continue to grapple with fuel-related costs, the debate over whether Nigeria should maintain its current petrol-pricing policy or consider renewed intervention is likely to remain a major issue in the months ahead.