Figures from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) indicate that Nigeria saw a 207 percent rise in petrol imports during June 2026. This shift marks a reversal of previous progress in domestic refining as local output dropped.
Analysis of the first half of 2026 shows a varied landscape. While January saw imports at 24.8 million litres per day (ml/d), representing 38.2 percent of supply, the following months experienced a shift toward local production. From February through May, domestic refineries were the primary providers, consistently supplying over 85 percent of the country’s needs. Specifically, May saw domestic production peak at 41.5ml/d.
However, the trend pivoted in June when imports soared to 18.1ml/d, a significant leap from the 5.9ml/d recorded in May. Simultaneously, domestic output decreased by 21.7 percent, falling to 32.5ml/d. This return to import reliance highlights the difficulties in maintaining national energy self-sufficiency efforts.
The data suggests that operational hurdles, such as inconsistent crude oil availability, played a key role. Crude supply to local refineries dropped by 6.5 percent in June, falling to 393,746 barrels per day (bpd) compared to 421,018 bpd in May. High-capacity facilities like the Dangote Refinery faced challenges sourcing affordable crude, which impacted overall production levels.
