Okay News reports that Nigerians consumed a total of 613.62 million litres of petrol, also known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), between October 2024 and October 10, 2025, for vehicles, power generation, and household use.
Fresh data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) revealed that domestic refineries supplied 236.08 million litres, while imported fuel accounted for 377.54 million litres—about 63% of total consumption. This shows that despite the operations of local plants, including the Dangote Refinery, imports still dominate fuel supply.
Domestic production improved significantly over the year, rising from 9.62 million litres per day in October 2024 to 18.93 million litres daily by October 2025, nearly doubling output. In contrast, import volumes fell from 46.38 million litres per day to 15.11 million litres per day, a 67% reduction.
Monthly breakdowns showed a consistent decline in imports and a gradual rise in local supply. Imports dropped from 46.38 million litres in October 2024 to 36.39 million litres in November and 38.90 million litres in December. By January 2025, imports fell further to 24.15 million litres, with minor fluctuations in the following months. The lowest import figure of 15.11 million litres was recorded by October 10, 2025.
Local refinery output steadily increased, climbing to 19.36 million litres in November, 22.66 million litres in January, and maintaining over 20 million litres in March and April 2025. Output saw minor dips in May, June, and July, before surging again to 21.19 million litres in August, stabilizing at 18.93 million litres in October.
Analysts say the improvement in domestic refining coincides with the Dangote Refinery’s first full year of operations. The refinery now contributes 15–20 million litres of PMS daily, reducing pressure on imports and foreign reserves.
Olatide Jeremiah, CEO of Petroleum.ng, said that local refining is gradually reshaping Nigeria’s fuel supply and enhancing energy security. He, however, stressed that local refiners need uninterrupted access to crude oil in naira to further increase production and lower fuel prices nationwide.
“Nigeria still imports about 60% of its daily petrol despite being Africa’s largest crude producer and hosting the continent’s biggest refinery. Local refineries need full access to domestic crude to make fuel more available and affordable,” he said.
The data highlights a positive shift in Nigeria’s fuel supply, with local refineries steadily reducing reliance on imports. However, import dependency remains high, and consistent crude access is essential for improving domestic output further.
