Nigeria Imports 15 Billion Litres of Petrol Despite Dangote Refinery’s Rising Output
Nigeria imported nearly 15.01 billion litres of petrol between August 2024 and early October 2025, accounting for 69% of the nation’s total petrol consumption during this period, according to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This high import reliance persists despite the Dangote refinery commencing petrol production in September 2024, signalling the country’s slow but steady transition toward domestic fuel supply.
Daily supply figures reveal a sharp fluctuation in imports and local output over the 15 months. Imported petrol peaked at 54.3 million litres per day in September 2024, coinciding with the start of Dangote refinery operations, before steadily declining to 15.11 million litres per day by early October 2025. Meanwhile, domestic refining grew rapidly, with Dangote’s facility producing an average of 18.93 million litres per day in October 2025, surpassing imports for the first time that month.
The data also highlighted variations in total daily petrol consumption, which dropped from a peak of 60.73 million litres in September 2024 to 34.04 million litres per day in early October 2025. Analysts attribute the decline in imports partly to increased domestic output and partly to changes in consumption patterns following the Federal Government’s full deregulation of the petrol sector in September 2024, which ended subsidies on imported fuel.
Despite the growing domestic supply, competition remains intense. Petrol marketers continue importing fuel, arguing that Dangote’s aggressive pricing strategy undermines competitors. Nevertheless, the refinery has demonstrated its capacity to supply the local market and export internationally. Between June and July 2025, the refinery reportedly exported about one million tonnes of petrol, with additional aviation fuel cargoes sold to Saudi Aramco, underscoring its capability to meet both domestic and global demand.
NMDPRA officials and Dangote executives emphasise that the refinery’s daily contribution of around 20 million litres is reshaping Nigeria’s fuel market. While imports still dominate the overall supply, the increasing share of locally refined petrol indicates a gradual shift toward self-sufficiency. Experts say that, with growing production capacity and continued market adjustments, Nigeria is steadily moving toward ending decades of dependence on imported fuel.
source: punch