Nigeria’s Petrol Imports Jump 207% In June As Domestic Refining Output Declines.

 

Nigeria's petrol imports surged by 207 per cent in June 2026, marking a sharp reversal in the country's recent progress towards greater reliance on locally refined fuel, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).Analysis of the regulator's monthly petrol supply figures for the first half of 2026 shows that domestic refineries remained the primary source of supply between February and May. However, a significant decline in local production in June triggered a sharp increase in fuel imports.

In January, petrol imports averaged 24.8 million litres per day (ml/d), accounting for 38.2 per cent of the total daily supply of 64.9ml/d. Domestic refineries supplied 40.1ml/d, representing 61.8 per cent.

Imports fell dramatically in February to 3.0ml/d, making up just 9.3 per cent of the total 32.4ml/d daily supply. During the same period, domestic output rose to 29.4ml/d, accounting for 90.7 per cent of supply.

In March, imports edged up to 5.9ml/d, representing 14.7 per cent of the total 40.1ml/d supply, while local refineries contributed 34.2ml/d, or 85.3 per cent.

The trend continued in April, with imports averaging 3.7ml/d, accounting for 8.3 per cent of the total 44.4ml/d supply. Domestic production reached 40.7ml/d, representing 91.7 per cent.

In May, imports rose slightly to 5.9ml/d, accounting for 12.4 per cent of the total 47.4ml/d daily supply, while domestic refineries supplied 41.5ml/d, equivalent to 87.6 per cent.

The picture changed significantly in June. Petrol imports climbed to 18.1ml/d from 5.9ml/d in May, representing a 207 per cent month-on-month increase. Imported fuel accounted for 35.8 per cent of the total daily supply of 50.6ml/d.

At the same time, domestic petrol supply fell sharply to 32.5ml/d from 41.5ml/d in May, a decline of 21.7 per cent. Local refineries accounted for 64.2 per cent of total supply during the month.

Overall, the six-month data indicate that Nigeria relied predominantly on domestic refining between February and May, with local production contributing more than 85 per cent of total petrol supply throughout the period.

However, January and June recorded the highest dependence on imported fuel, with imports accounting for 38.2 per cent and 35.8 per cent of total supply respectively.

The latest figures highlight renewed pressure on Nigeria's drive towards energy self-sufficiency, despite the Federal Government's continued efforts to expand domestic refining capacity.

The rise in imports coincided with reports of crude oil supply constraints affecting local refiners, including the 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, which has reportedly been forced to source crude at international market prices, increasing production costs and impacting output.

NMDPRA data also revealed a decline in crude oil supplied to domestic refineries. Average crude supply fell to 393,746 barrels per day (bpd) in June from 421,018 bpd in May, representing a decline of approximately 6.5 per cent.

The reduction in crude supply mirrors the drop in domestic petrol production and the sharp increase in imports recorded during the same period, underscoring the challenges facing Nigeria's refining sector despite recent investments in local capacity.