Nigeria Consumes 613.6 Million Litres of Petrol in One Year as Dangote Refinery Boosts Local Supply

Nigerians consumed a total of 613.62 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, between October 2024 and October 10, 2025, according to fresh data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Despite the ramp-up in local refining, imported petrol still accounted for a larger portion of Nigeria’s total supply within the period under review. Of the total consumption, 236.08 million litres were supplied by domestic refineries, while 377.54 million litres came through imports — meaning that 63 per cent of the nation’s petrol needs were still met by imports, while local production contributed 37 per cent.

The data also showed notable progress in local refining. Domestic output nearly doubled from 9.62 million litres per day in October 2024 to 18.93 million litres per day by October 2025, while import volumes dropped sharply by 67 per cent — from 46.38 million litres per day to 15.11 million litres within the same period.

Monthly figures revealed a steady decline in imports alongside a gradual rise in local supply. Import volumes fell from 46.38 million litres in October 2024 to 15.11 million litres by October 2025, while production from local refineries — led by the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery — rose consistently, reaching a peak of over 22 million litres per day in early 2025.

According to NMDPRA, total petrol supply averaged 46.6 million litres daily, with 29.5 million litres from imports and 17.1 million litres from local production. This shift has eased pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserves, as reduced imports mean lower dollar demand for refined fuel purchases.

However, overall supply fluctuated, dipping from 55.21 million litres in May 2025 to 34.04 million litres in October 2025 — a sign of lingering logistical challenges and maintenance issues in the distribution chain.

Energy analysts attribute the positive trend to the first full year of operations at the Dangote Refinery, which began large-scale production earlier in 2025. The refinery now contributes between 15 and 20 million litres of PMS daily, reshaping Nigeria’s fuel supply structure and reducing dependency on imports.

Commenting on the data, Olatide Jeremiah, Chief Executive Officer of Petroleum.ng, noted that domestic refining capacity has made remarkable strides, with Dangote Refinery now meeting about 40 per cent of Nigeria’s daily petrol demand.

He emphasized that full access to locally sourced crude in naira is crucial for sustaining and expanding domestic production, reducing pump prices, and achieving full energy independence.

Jeremiah further urged the Federal Government and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to strengthen policies that guarantee consistent crude supply to local refineries.

> “Nigeria, as Africa’s largest crude producer and host to the continent’s biggest refinery, should not still be importing about 60 per cent of its daily fuel needs. Ensuring full crude access for local refiners is the key to affordability and availability,” he said.