Nigerian Fuel Consumption and Import Data Revealed

Daily imports of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, into Nigeria surged by nearly 100% in March, averaging 5.9 million litres per day. This represents a substantial increase from the 3 million litres imported daily in February, according to a factsheet from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Conversely, the Dangote Refinery's supply to the market saw a slight reduction, providing 34.2 million litres daily, a decrease of 2.3 million litres from the 36.5 million litres supplied daily in the previous month. The refinery's total daily production averaged 48.2 million litres. Cumulatively, the domestic market received 40.1 million litres of PMS daily in March, marking a modest increase of 600 litres per day.

This data emerges amidst previous reports from the NMDPRA indicating a halt in issuing new import licenses for petrol in 2026. This policy followed a significant drop in imports from 24.8 million litres in January to just 3 million litres in February.

Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has been a vocal critic of continued fuel importation, arguing that it undermines local production. Despite the NMDPRA's statements about ceasing import licenses, Dangote has previously claimed that six major marketers are still involved in importing the product.

The authority, however, maintains that these marketers have yet to fully utilize licenses granted to them in 2025.

In terms of consumption, the NMDPRA factsheet indicated a drop in the average daily PMS consumption to 47.3 million litres in March, down from 56.9 million litres per day in February.

The report also noted that all refineries operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) remain shut down. However, the Port Harcourt Refinery continues to process and evacuate diesel, producing an average of 48,000 litres per day.

Regarding pricing, the factsheet highlighted that Enugu State recorded the highest average price for PMS at N1,270 per litre. Other states with high prices include Maiduguri (N1,238.50 per litre), Sokoto (N1,226.50 per litre), Abuja and Calabar (N1,202 per litre), Kano (N1,195.50 per litre), Ibadan (N1,192 per litre), and Ilorin (N1,140.50 per litre).