Nigeria imported 377.54 million litres of petrol between October 2024 and October 2025, despite a rise in local refining led by the Dangote Refinery.
According to new released data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority on Monday the country consumed 613.62 million litres of petrol during the one-year period, with imports making up about 63 percent of the total. Local refineries supplied 236.08 million litres, accounting for 37 per cent.
Although local production nearly doubled from 9.62 million litres per day in October 2024 to 18.93 million litres per day by October 2025, import volumes dropped sharply from 46.38 million litres to 15.11 million litres over the same period.
Analysts say the shift shows progress in local refining capacity but also exposes gaps in crude supply and pricing policies that still make Nigeria dependent on imported fuel.
Chief Executive Officer of Petroleum.ng, Olatide Jeremiah, said the Dangote Refinery now supplies about 40 per cent of Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption but needs full access to crude oil in naira to boost output and lower pump prices.
“Nigeria, the biggest crude producer in Africa with the biggest refinery, should not still be importing about 60 per cent of its daily fuel. Local refiners must have full access to crude if we want fuel availability and affordability,” he said.
The data also showed that total petrol supply averaged 46.6 million litres daily, with imports contributing 29.5 million litres and domestic refining providing 17.1 million litres. The Nigerian government says the reduced import volume has eased pressure on foreign reserves.
