Petrol importation remained Nigeria’s main source of fuel supply in 2025, accounting for 62.47 per cent of total Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) consumption, despite increased output from domestic refineries, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) show that Nigerians consumed about 18.97 billion litres of petrol in 2025, with imports contributing roughly 11.85 billion litres.
Domestic refineries supplied 7.54 billion litres, or 37.53 per cent of total consumption, underscoring continued reliance on foreign supply even as local refining capacity expanded. The regulator attributed the dominance of imports to factors such as gradual refinery ramp-up, crude supply constraints, logistics challenges, and demand fluctuations following full petrol price deregulation.
The Dangote refinery, Nigeria’s only operational large-scale plant, accounted for virtually all domestic PMS supply during the year, delivering about 7.54 billion litres—slightly below its annual target. Although domestic supply peaked in December, narrowing the gap with imports, marketers still met most of the country’s fuel needs throughout the year.
Energy experts say the data highlight progress but caution against claims that petrol importation has ended. While domestic refining has significantly reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imports, analysts note that imports continue to play a stabilising role in the market, particularly amid demand surges, refinery risks, and pricing dynamics in the post-subsidy era.
