The Digest:
Despite the operational start of domestic refineries, petrol importation accounted for 62.47% of Nigeria’s total Premium Motor Spirit consumption in 2025. According to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reported by Punch Newspapers, total national consumption stood at approximately 18.97 billion litres, with 11.85 billion litres supplied through imports. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, alongside other domestic facilities, supplied 7.54 billion litres, representing 37.53% of the market.
Key Points:
- Continued import reliance sustains higher retail fuel prices and supply volatility for Nigerian consumers.
- Dominant imports pressure foreign exchange reserves and weaken the Naira, despite increased domestic refining capacity.
- Importing marketing companies retain significant market share and influence, while domestic refiners are still scaling operations.
- This reflects persistent systemic challenges in crude supply, logistics, and full-capacity utilization of local refineries.
- The data emerges as the government considers a 15% import tariff in 2026, which could reshape the supply landscape.
Attention now shifts to the potential impact of upcoming import tariffs and whether domestic production can sustainably meet national demand.
Sources: Punch Newspapers, NMDPRA Factsheet
