Nigeria Doubles Crude Supply to Local Refineries, Hits 40,000bpd in 2025 — NMDPRA

Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity received a major boost in 2025, as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced that crude oil supply to local refineries has doubled within two years. The volume increased from 20,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 40,000 bpd in 2025—a milestone the agency says signals steady progress toward reducing fuel import dependence.

Speaking at the 2025 annual conference of the Energy Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja, NMDPRA Chief Executive Farouk Ahmed, represented by Joseph Tolorunse, revealed that refined fuel output from local refineries also improved significantly. According to him, Nigeria’s PMS supply surged from 1.3 billion litres in 2024 to 3.8 billion litres in 2025, an improvement credited to increasing refinery activity and a positive market outlook.

Ahmed explained that the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) over the last four years has helped reshape the midstream and downstream sectors. He noted that reforms such as stricter compliance monitoring, automation of regulatory processes, and adoption of data-driven decision-making have strengthened service delivery and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. These moves, he said, are aligning Nigeria’s energy sector with global standards.

The NMDPRA boss also highlighted major investments in the gas sector, revealing that the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) has deployed over N287 billion into 62 projects executed by 16 companies as of October 2025. This investment, alongside a $500 million financing boost secured through an Afreximbank agreement, is expected to expand gas infrastructure, improve energy access, and support economic growth across the country.

While acknowledging the achievements under the PIA, Ahmed admitted that regulatory overlaps and interpretational conflicts remain challenges in the sector. He assured, however, that the Authority continues to provide consistent guidance to operators, ensuring a level business environment and creating opportunities for Nigerians. With the Dangote Refinery gradually coming onstream, modular refineries expanding, and hopes rising for the revival of government-owned refineries, he expressed optimism for a more profitable and stable future for Nigeria’s energy industry.

source: Business day