Petrol Imports Surge 59.5% in May as Nigeria Balances Local Refining Growth and Fuel Demand
Nigeria’s petrol imports recorded a surprising rebound in May 2026, climbing by 59.5% compared to April despite continued growth in domestic refining capacity. Fresh data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that average daily imports of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, increased to 5.9 million litres per day from 3.7 million litres per day in the previous month. The increase suggests that fuel marketers are still relying on imported products to complement local supply and meet nationwide demand.
The rise in imports came even as local refineries strengthened their contribution to Nigeria’s fuel supply chain. According to the NMDPRA, total petrol supply grew by 6.8% to 47.4 million litres per day in May, up from 44.4 million litres per day in April. Domestic refineries accounted for 41.5 million litres per day, representing nearly 88% of total supply, while imports made up the remaining 5.9 million litres. The figures highlight the growing influence of local refining, particularly as Nigeria works to reduce its dependence on imported fuel.
At the center of this transformation is the Dangote Refinery, which continued to dominate the downstream market. The refinery supplied 41.5 million litres of petrol daily in May, up from 40.7 million litres in April, while operating at an impressive capacity utilization rate of 101.25%. Other private refiners also contributed to supply growth, with Edo Refinery and Petrochemicals operating at over 91% capacity, while WalterSmith and Aradel refineries maintained moderate production levels. In contrast, the government-owned Warri and Kaduna refineries remained inactive despite ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
Interestingly, the increase in fuel production occurred even as crude oil deliveries to domestic refineries declined. Refiners received an average of 578,000 barrels of crude oil per day in May, down from 612,000 barrels per day in April. This suggests that refiners are becoming more efficient in processing available crude, although the latest data also indicates that imports remain necessary to bridge supply gaps and maintain fuel availability across the country.
A broader look at the first five months of 2026 reveals a significant shift in Nigeria’s petroleum market. Petrol imports have fallen by approximately 76% since January, dropping from 24.8 million litres per day to 5.9 million litres per day in May. Meanwhile, domestic refining output has steadily expanded, driven largely by private sector investment. The trend reflects Nigeria’s gradual transition toward greater energy self-sufficiency, even as occasional import increases remain necessary to stabilize supply. Adding to the positive outlook, Nigeria’s crude oil production rose to 1.53 million barrels per day in May, marking the country’s first return above its OPEC production quota since mid-2025 and signaling renewed momentum in the oil sector.
source: nairametrics