Nigeria petrol consumption fell by about 600,000 litres per day in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, as higher fuel prices continue to influence demand across the country.
According to Vanguard, data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority showed that average daily petrol consumption stood at 47.4 million litres in June, down from 48 million litres per day in June 2025.
The decline represents a 1.27 per cent year-on-year drop and comes as Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market continues to adjust to deregulation and higher pump prices.
Petrol consumption fluctuates in 2026
NMDPRA figures showed that demand has moved considerably since the beginning of the year.
Daily consumption started at 60.2 million litres in January before falling to 56.9 million litres in February and 47.3 million litres in March.
It recovered to 51.1 million litres in April before dropping to 46.3 million litres in May and rising slightly to 47.4 million litres in June.
Across the period from June 2025 to June 2026, average daily petrol consumption was about 50 million litres.
December 2025 recorded the highest consumption during the period at 63.7 million litres per day, while September recorded the lowest at 43.8 million litres.
Local refineries dominate supply
The figures also showed the growing contribution of local refineries to Nigeria’s petrol market.
Domestic refineries supplied about 6.61 billion litres of petrol during the first half of 2026, accounting for nearly 78 per cent of supplies to the domestic market.
Imported petrol accounted for about 1.87 billion litres, representing 22.1 per cent of supply.
In June alone, domestic refineries supplied an average of 32.5 million litres per day, while imports contributed 18.1 million litres.
The figures show that local refining has become the dominant source of petrol supply even as consumption continues to fluctuate in response to changing prices and market conditions.
