Nigeria’s petrol imports increased by 207 per cent in June 2026 as domestic supply declined sharply, reversing earlier gains in local refining, according to data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Analysis of the regulator’s monthly petrol supply figures for the first half of 2026 showed that domestic refineries remained the primary source of supply between February and May. However, imports rose significantly in June following a decline in local production.
In January, petrol imports averaged 24.8 million litres per day (ml/d), accounting for 38.2 per cent of the total daily supply of 64.9ml/d. Domestic refineries supplied 40.1ml/d, representing 61.8 per cent of total supply.
Imports fell sharply in February to 3.0ml/d, accounting for 9.3 per cent of the total 32.4ml/d daily supply, while domestic production increased to 29.4ml/d, representing 90.7 per cent.
In March, imports rose slightly to 5.9ml/d, contributing 14.7 per cent of the total daily supply of 40.1ml/d, while domestic refineries supplied 34.2ml/d, or 85.3 per cent.
The trend continued in April, with imports averaging 3.7ml/d, accounting for 8.3 per cent of the total 44.4ml/d daily supply. Domestic output stood at 40.7ml/d, representing 91.7 per cent.
In May, imports increased marginally to 5.9ml/d, accounting for 12.4 per cent of the total 47.4ml/d daily supply, while domestic supply rose to 41.5ml/d, representing 87.6 per cent.
However, the pattern shifted in June as petrol imports surged to 18.1ml/d from 5.9ml/d recorded in May, accounting for 35.8 per cent of the total daily supply of 50.6ml/d.
During the same period, domestic supply declined to 32.5ml/d, representing 64.2 per cent of total supply.
The June figures represent a 207 per cent month-on-month increase in petrol imports, while domestic supply fell by 21.7 per cent compared with May.
Overall, the six-month data showed that Nigeria relied predominantly on domestic refining between February and May, with local sources accounting for more than 85 per cent of petrol supply during the period.
By contrast, January and June recorded the highest dependence on imported fuel, with imports contributing 38.2 per cent and 35.8 per cent of total supply respectively.
The increase in imports comes despite the Federal Government’s drive to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products through expanded domestic refining capacity.
The rise also coincided with reports of crude oil supply constraints affecting local refineries, including the 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, which has reportedly faced challenges securing sufficient crude supplies and has had to purchase crude at international market prices.
NMDPRA data further showed that crude oil supplied to domestic refineries declined in June.
Average crude supply fell to 393,746 barrels per day in June from 421,018 barrels per day in May, representing a decline of approximately 6.5 per cent.
The reduction in crude supply corresponded with the decline in domestic petrol production from 41.5 million litres per day in May to 32.5 million litres per day in June, while imports increased from 5.9 million litres per day to 18.1 million litres per day over the same period.
