Petrol imports rose sharply by 59.5 per cent in May after months of decline, as oil marketers increased purchases from foreign suppliers despite rising output from domestic refineries, according to data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The latest Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Statistics released by the NMDPRA, on Thursday, showed that average daily imports of Premium Motor Spirit increased from 3.7 million litres per day in April to 5.9 million litres per day in May.
The increase came as crude oil supply to domestic refineries declined during the period, raising concerns over the sustainability of local fuel production and the country’s drive towards self-sufficiency in petroleum products.
According to the data, crude receipts by domestic refineries fell from 612,000 barrels per day in April to 578,000 barrels per day in May, representing a 5.6 per cent decline.
The report showed that total PMS supply rose from 44.4 million litres per day in April to 47.4 million litres per day in May, an increase of 6.8 per cent.
Of the total petrol volume supplied in May, domestic refineries contributed 41.5 million litres daily, while imports accounted for 5.9 million litres per day.
The report read, “Crude oil supplied to domestic refineries declined by 5.6 per cent in May, falling from 612,000 barrels per day in April to 578,000 barrels per day. The country’s total petrol supply increased by 6.8 per cent month-on-month, rising from 44.4 million litres per day in April to 47.4 million litres per day in May.
“Petrol supplied from domestic sources rose marginally by two per cent to 41.5 million litres per day in May, compared to 40.7 million litres per day recorded in April. While there was a sharp increase in imported petrol volumes, which surged by 59.5 per cent from 3.7 million litres per day in April to 5.9 million litres per day in May.”
The statistics suggest that while local refineries remained the dominant source of petrol supply, imported products played an increasingly important role in bridging supply gaps.
The rise in imports comes after a period of significant moderation in fuel import volumes following the commencement of operations at major domestic refining facilities.
The latest figures indicate that Nigeria has yet to fully eliminate its dependence on imported petrol, especially as refinery feedstock supplies remain unstable.
An analysis of NMDPRA supply data for the first quarter of 2026 shows that petrol imports had remained relatively subdued compared to historical levels before rebounding in May, even as domestic refineries remained the dominant source of supply.
The data indicated that total daily petrol supply stood at 64.9 million litres in January, with domestic refineries contributing 40.1 million litres per day while imports by oil marketing companies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited accounted for 24.8 million litres per day.
However, imports dropped sharply in February as local refining gained momentum. Imported volumes fell to just three million litres per day, while domestic refinery supplies stood at 29.4 million litres per day, bringing total daily supply to 32.4 million litres.
In March, imports increased to 5.9 million litres per day, while domestic refinery receipts rose to 34.2 million litres per day. This pushed the total petrol supply to 40.1 million litres daily.
The upward trend in domestic supply continued in April, with local refineries supplying 40.7 million litres per day compared to imports of 3.7 million litres per day. Total daily petrol availability consequently rose to 44.4 million litres.
By May, domestic refinery receipts climbed further to 41.5 million litres per day, the highest level recorded during the five months. However, imports also surged to 5.9 million litres per day, representing a 59.5 per cent increase compared to April. The rise in imported volumes helped lift total daily petrol supply to 47.4 million litres.
A month-by-month analysis showed that imported petrol volumes fell by about 76 per cent between January and May, declining from 24.8 million litres per day to 5.9 million litres per day. This reflects the growing contribution of domestic refineries to Nigeria’s fuel supply chain despite occasional increases in import volumes to bridge supply gaps.
The figures further showed that domestic refinery contributions rose by about 3.5 per cent between January and May, increasing from 40.1 million litres per day to 41.5 million litres per day. As a result, locally refined products accounted for nearly 88 per cent of total petrol supply in May, compared to about 62 per cent in January.
The data underscores the gradual shift in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market, with domestic refineries increasingly meeting national fuel requirements while imports play a supplementary role in ensuring product availability across the country.
The data also revealed mixed performance across other petroleum products.
Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, recorded one of the greatest improvements during the month. Total diesel supply rose from 10.2 million litres per day in April to 18.8 million litres per day in May, representing an 84.3 per cent increase.
Notably, all diesel supplied in May came from domestic sources as imports dropped completely from 1.7 million litres per day in April to zero in May.
Domestic diesel supply surged by 121.2 per cent to 18.8 million litres per day, indicating improved local refining output for the product.
Aviation Turbine Kerosene, otherwise known as jet fuel, also recorded growth. Daily supply increased from 2.6 million litres in April to 3.6 million litres in May, representing a 38.5 per cent rise.
However, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, widely used for cooking, witnessed a decline. LPG supply dropped from 4.5 kilotonnes per day in April to 4.1 kilotonnes per day in May.
The report further showed that petrol consumption moderated during the month. Average daily PMS consumption declined from 51.1 million litres in April to 46.3 million litres in May, representing a 9.4 per cent decrease.
Diesel consumption also dropped from 17.3 million litres per day to 16 million litres per day.
Despite lower consumption levels, PMS stock sufficiency declined from 17.7 days in April to 16 days in May, suggesting tighter inventory levels within the supply chain.
Diesel stock sufficiency also fell significantly from 39 days to 31 days during the review period.
In the gas segment, domestic gas supply decreased from 5.142 billion standard cubic feet per day in April to 4.984 billion standard cubic feet per day in May, a decline of 3.1 per cent.
PUNCH online reports that the rise in petrol imports came amid recent reports of operational and feedstock challenges at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest refinery.
Reuters reported earlier in June that the refinery reduced the operating rate of its gasoline-producing unit, known as the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, by about 34 per cent from May 21 due to feedstock constraints and technical issues.
According to industry monitor IIR Energy, the refinery initially struggled with insufficient feedstock after processing lighter crude grades, which reduced the availability of material required by the gasoline-producing unit. The facility was later said to have encountered a technical problem involving a flue gas slide gate valve, although repair works were nearing completion.
For decades, Nigeria relied heavily on imported refined petroleum products despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer. However, recent investments in domestic refining infrastructure are expected to significantly reduce import dependence.
Stakeholders maintain that consistent crude supply to local refineries remains critical to achieving the country’s refining ambitions.
They argue that unless domestic refineries receive adequate and uninterrupted feedstock, imported fuel will continue to play a role in meeting national demand, particularly during periods of supply disruptions or maintenance activities.
The latest NMDPRA statistics therefore underscore the delicate balance between expanding domestic refining capacity and maintaining sufficient fuel availability in the Nigerian market.
